Jalen Hurts is doing what star quarterbacks tend to do when things go south: shoulder the blame. Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 33-16 thrashing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hurts didn’t just fall on the sword—he dove headfirst. In a game that felt even more lopsided than the score suggests, Hurts kept circling back to one message: I have to be better.
That’s a familiar refrain for the Eagles quarterback, but it’s not necessarily the full story. Sure, Hurts had a key turnover and failed to deliver in critical moments, but the Eagles’ issues run far deeper. Missing key offensive weapons and falling into a pattern of early-game offensive struggles, the Eagles are limping into their bye week at 2-2 and looking more lost than they’d like to admit. So, while Hurts is taking the blame, is it really all on him?
A Struggling Philadelphia Eagles Offense
Let’s start with the obvious: the Eagles’ offense is in disarray. Hurts was without A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson—three cornerstone players on Philly’s offensive unit. Missing those guys is a big deal, but it doesn’t explain the Eagles’ failure to score in the first quarter for the fourth straight game. They’re the only team in the NFL that’s still scoreless in the opening frame.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that’s a glaring issue. By halftime, the Buccaneers had racked up 287 yards to the Eagles’ 69. Tampa had 18 first downs to Philly’s measly six. By the end of the first quarter, the Eagles hadn’t even registered a single yard of offense. Zero. And while Hurts has been quick to shoulder the blame for that—repeating the mantra “I didn’t play good enough”—it’s hard to say he’s the only one at fault.
Turnovers Galore
One undeniable problem, however, is the turnover issue. Hurts now has four interceptions and three lost fumbles through the first four games. No quarterback in the NFL has more turnovers since the start of last season, with Hurts tallying a whopping 27 giveaways in that span.
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In the latest defeat, with the Eagles trailing 30-16 in the third quarter, Lavonte David hit Hurts as he tried to pass to tight end Grant Calcaterra, causing Tampa to intercept the ball. Hurts didn’t throw his hands up in frustration or look for an excuse. Instead, he once again took full responsibility.
“I think it’s a matter of being decisive and knowing exactly what you’re about to do,” Hurts explained, referring to his pocket presence. The problem? The Eagles don’t have the luxury of endless patience. A fifth-year quarterback needs to be making those split-second decisions instinctively by now, and Hurts’ turnover rate is suggesting otherwise.
Is It Really Jalen Hurts’ Fault?
That interception wasn’t entirely on Hurts, though. Head coach Nick Sirianni was quick to defend his QB, pointing out that David got to Hurts just as he was trying to get rid of the ball. “That’s not on Jalen, but Jalen gets credited for that,” Sirianni said.
Still, Hurts’ turnover issues are becoming a pattern. He hasn’t played a regular-season game without a turnover since Week 12 of last season. Sirianni acknowledged that the team has to clean it up, but at the end of the day, it’s Hurts’ name in the box score next to those turnovers. For a guy who prides himself on being a leader and who wants to be the face of a winning franchise, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
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Missing Weapons, Same Result
Sure, it’s worth noting that Hurts was throwing to practice-squad call-ups like Parris Campbell and John Ross for stretches of the game. Rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson also left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. Without Brown and Smith, Hurts had to rely on guys who weren’t even on the radar at the start of the season. But even with that, the Eagles’ offensive problems are systematic.
Philly’s offensive line wasn’t giving Hurts much time, either. He was sacked six times, and that wasn’t just on the backups. Hurts had to deal with poor protection, bad decision-making, and a complete lack of rhythm. The Eagles have yet to find their offensive identity, something both tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley admitted after Sunday’s loss.
“We’re still figuring out who we are,” Hurts said after the game. “Once we do that, I think things will be better.” But with 24 unanswered points coming from Tampa, figuring it out needs to happen fast.
What Now For Jalen Hurts?
As the Eagles head into their bye week, they’ll have plenty of time to reflect. Hurts has made it clear that he holds himself accountable, and Sirianni is standing by his quarterback. But the clock is ticking. Super Bowl contenders don’t lose by 17 points to teams like Tampa Bay, and they certainly don’t turn the ball over at the rate the Eagles are right now.
“I didn’t play good enough,” Hurts repeated postgame, a phrase he’s said too often this season. “It starts with me.”
That’s great and all, but if Hurts wants to lead the Eagles anywhere near a playoff run, they need more than just admissions of fault. They need action—and fast. Because right now, their identity is simple: a porous defense and an offense that can’t stop turning the ball over. It’s not the look anyone in Philly was hoping for, and it’s definitely not going to get them to the promised land.
As Hurts continues to fall on the sword, it’s becoming clear that he’s not the only one who should be taking the hit. But unless things turn around soon, those interceptions and fumbles might be the lasting image of his season—and of the Eagles’ chances.
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