Philadelphia Eagles 2022-2023 Season Preview

Can Jalen Hurts establish himself as a franchise quarterback?  Can the Eagles win the NFC East?

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2021 NFL season without head coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz for the first time since 2015.  They were replaced by first-time head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts, who entered the season as the starter for the first time.  The Eagles were able to significantly improve, winning five more games than the previous season, and making the postseason.

 

Despite leading the team to the postseason in 2022, questions remain about Hurts long-term ability as a franchise quarterback.  The Eagles have had added talent around him, having one of the best offseasons in football, and will look to win the NFC East for the first time since 2019.

Can Jalen Hurts establish himself as a franchise quarterback?

Jalen Hurts had a decent season in 2021, but questions still linger regarding his potential as a franchise quarterback.  Hurts needs to improve in the passing game, particularly with his accuracy, if he wants to reach that level.  Of all qualified passers, only five had a lower completion percentage than Hurts.  Three were rookies on awful teams, and the other two are currently battling for the starting job with the Carolina Panthers, after being traded while still on their rookie deal.

 

The Eagles, who had the number one rushing offense in terms of yards and touchdowns in 2021, made a big move to improve the passing game, which ranked 25th in both yards and touchdowns.  In a draft-day trade with the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles acquired star wide receiver A.J. Brown for a first-round draft pick.  Pairing Brown with DeVonta Smith, who had a strong rookie season, should help Hurts tremendously in his second full season.

 

The Eagles will be evaluating Hurts closely as he enters the third-year of a four-year rookie contract.  Armed with two first-round draft picks, the New Orleans Saints’ and their own, in what figures to be a strong 2023 quarterback class, the Eagles could be in a position to make a move for a quarterback if they don’t like what they see out of Hurts.  If Hurts is able to improve his accuracy, he could play his way into an extension.  If not, he could become the latest quarterback to not complete his rookie deal with the team that drafted him.

Can the Eagles win the NFC East?

In addition to acquiring Brown, the Eagles made moves to upgrade a defense that ranked 10th in yards allowed and 18th in points allowed.  They brought in pass rusher Haason Reddick and cornerback James Bradberry in free agency, while retaining pass rusher Derek Barnett and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.  In the draft, the Eagles selected defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the first round and ended linebacker Nakobe Dean’s slide in the third round.  Both were viewed as first-round talents and could make an immediate impact in 2022.

 

The Eagles will have the added benefit of playing in one of the worst divisions in football.  They will also face one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, as only five of their opponents made the postseason in 2021, while three of those opponents appear to have gotten worse on paper.  While the Eagles aren’t currently the favorites to win the NFC East, their +160 odds aren’t far off of the division favorite Dallas Cowboys, who currently sit at +140.  Their odds of making the playoffs are currently -190, while the over/under on their win total sits at 9.5 wins.

 

Their odds of winning the NFC currently sit at +1100, trailing only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and the division rival Cowboys.  Their +2200 odds to win the Super Bowl are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for 11th-best in the NFL.  Those odds trail the Buffalo Bills, Buccaneers, Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, 49ers, Denver Broncos, Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens.

 

As for Hurts, his +2000 odds of winning the MVP award are currently tied with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray for 10th-best in the NFL.  Those odds trail only Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

 

Considering what these other quarterbacks have accomplished, it should be encouraging for Eagles fans to see Hurts grouped near them.  If he is able to perform to the level that his MVP odds suggest, Hurts should lead the Eagles back to the postseason, and may just establish himself as their long-term franchise quarterback.