The Philadelphia Eagles did not collapse overnight, but the warning signs were there. A once-dynamic offense began to stall late in the 2025 season, leaning heavily on the ground game while the passing attack lost its edge.
That uneven finish left more questions than answers. As the offseason unfolded, whispers about tension inside the building grew louder, pointing to something deeper than just play-calling issues.
Jalen Hurts’ Reported Resistance Raises Concerns Inside Eagles Offense
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterrback Jalen Hurts (1) during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterrback Jalen Hurts (1) during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler, internal friction within Philadelphia’s offense has centered in part on quarterback Jalen Hurts. Team sources told ESPN that Hurts has pushed back on schematic changes and at times gone off-script, altering plays beyond what coaches intended.
REPORT: Jalen Hurts has pushed back on changes that would diversify the offense and goes off script from the gameplan at times.
He has switched to plays that haven't been installed. One team source described Hurts as "not always coachable and players notice." 😳
Per:… pic.twitter.com/mrWjRrBzlC
— Kalshi Football (@KalshiFB) April 1, 2026
That reflects a growing concern about how Hurts fits into a changing offensive identity. Philadelphia is transitioning under-center system under new coordinator Sean Mannion, a shift that appears to clash with Hurts’ preferences.
Hurts has operated under five different play-callers since entering the league in 2020. That instability has shaped both his strengths and his limitations. Sources say his reluctance to embrace under-center concepts has narrowed the offense’s evolution.
The passing attack took a step back the following year despite winning a championship in 2024. Philadelphia became increasingly dependent on Saquon Barkley’s ground production as the volume of explosive air plays decreased. Hurts specifically struggled when facing zone defenses, delivering performances that fell short of internal expectations and sparked concern among his teammates and the coaching staff.
Hurts has long been praised for his work ethic and composure. These traits helped him rise from a benched college QB to a Super Bowl MVP. Multiple reports suggest communication gaps with key teammates, including A.J. Brown, whose frustrations surfaced publicly during the season.
Philadelphia now faces a defining offseason. Mannion’s system demands adaptability, particularly in timing and play-action execution. For Hurts, the challenge is to evolve within the structure or risk further friction inside a locker room built to contend.
Alignment between quarterback and scheme will determine whether Philadelphia returns to dominance or drifts into inconsistency.