Don’t be fooled by the preseason tag, because bodies and careers are on the line.
There is a reason why so many NFL stars stay off the field in August — as Jalen Hurts found out in 2022.
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback comes into Thursday’s opener against the Cincinnati Bengals as a Super Bowl champion after an MVP performance against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Three years ago, he faced the New York Jets in a preseason opener with plenty of question marks hanging over him and doubters to silence.
The other eye was on Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, who came flying out of nowhere to deliver a brutal late hit.
Hurts was already out of bounds after a scramble when Williams rocked him with a flying shoulder and made contact with the QB’s helmet with a raised forearm.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was absolutely furious — as he had every right to be.
Although instead of screaming at Williams, he decided to give New York defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who would later spend an ill-fated spell running the franchise, a piece of his mind.
Sirianni threw his headset to the ground and appeared to shout ‘Saleh, what the f***?’
Hurts managed to continue and went 6-of-6 for 80 yards and a score before being shut down for the night.
Gardner Minshew and Reid Sinnett also saw action under center as the Jets came back from 14-0 down to win 24-21.
After avoiding serious injury, Hurts went on to enjoy the best season of his career so far.
Jalen Hurts’ Super Bowl record
He made the Pro Bowl for the first time and led Philly to the Super Bowl.
A ridiculous stat line of 304 yards and a score through the air, as well as 15 carries for 70 yards and three TDs on the ground wasn’t enough, however.
The Kansas City Chiefs won a thriller 38-35.
But Hurts got his revenge in February to win his first ever ring.
How old is Jalen Hurts?
The doubters are still there — Hurts was recently ranked ninth out of NFL QBs — but it has got a little bit quieter since the Super Bowl.
Hurts turned 27 today and isn’t done filling his trophy cabinet yet.
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The Eagles ended a 57-year drought by winning a Super Bowl in 2018 and backed up the success seven years later.
But Hurts only has his eyes on the future.
“Nothing that I’ve accomplished in the past will get me what I desire in the future,” he said.
Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks says the QB didn’t even wear his ring.
“Jalen Hurts says he didn’t put the Super Bowl ring on because he has moved on to next year,” Shorr-Parks reported.
The Eagles and Jets face off again on August 23.
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