Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni endorse Jalen Hurts as Eagles’ starting QB in 2022: ‘He knows he’s our guy’

The Eagles found mixed results with second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts as their starter in 2021. At times, the former second-round pick played like new coach Nick Sirianni’s offensive MVP, using both his arm and legs to guide a 9-8 finish and playoff appearance. On other occasions, like Philadelphia’s ugly wild card loss to the Buccaneers, Hurts looked overmatched, especially as a passer. Entering the offseason, however, Eagles brass has already endorsed Hurts for the 2022 job, with Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman telling reporters Wednesday they believe Hurts has earned the position.

“Jalen knows where he stands with us,” Sirianni said. “He knows he’s our quarterback. … I thought he did a great job of getting better throughout the year, so there’s no secrets there. He knows he’s our guy.”

Asked repeatedly if he shares the sentiment, and if Hurts has done enough to enter 2022 as the starter, Roseman agreed.

“Yes,” he said. “We said we wanted to see him take the bull by the horns, and he certainly did that. … I think for us, we gotta do whatever we can to continue to help him develop. And how do we do that? By surrounding him with really good players. Players continue to grow, that’s a huge part of developing, they grow. How they are in their second year is not how they’re gonna be in year four, five, six and seven, and they’re also products of the people around them.”

It’s a stronger endorsement than the one Roseman issued to former starter Carson Wentz in 2020, when the GM said he couldn’t imagine parting with the Pro Bowler but left the door open for a trade. It also echoes the message of long-term building that team owner Jeffrey Lurie preached upon the dismissal of Doug Pederson and, later, the addition of Sirianni as head coach.

That doesn’t mean the Eagles can’t and won’t — or shouldn’t — explore other QB options ahead of 2022, especially considering they own three first-round picks this offseason. Entering an offseason with plans is one thing; following through on them is another, especially if a veteran like Seahawks star Russell Wilson becomes available. But for now, at least, the club appears to be buying in to the progress of its current QB.