NEW ORLEANS — Jalen Hurts radiated joy as he proudly displayed both the Lombardi Trophy and the Super Bowl MVP trophy, contemplating the arduous journey that led him to this monumental achievement. The obstacles he encountered throughout his career have all played a part in his ascent to becoming a Super Bowl champion and MVP.
“When you lift those trophies, it reflects more on the journey than the final outcome,” Hurts stated. “People will judge us based on results, and that’s often the topic of discussion. However, it is the journey that propels us forward and defines who we are.”
The Philadelphia Eagles capped off the 2024 season with an impressive 40-22 victory against the two-time reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, marking their 16th win in 17 games. This ending starkly contrasts with the disappointments experienced in the 2023 season. Last year, the Eagles began with a 10-1 record and appeared poised for a rematch with the Chiefs after losing in the Super Bowl. However, they faltered, losing five of their final six regular-season games and suffering a significant defeat in the wild-card round against Tampa Bay, where much of the blame fell on Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni.
Sirianni believes that the festivities at the Superdome would not have occurred without the challenges faced in the previous season. “Adversity often unites teams,” he remarked. “Reflecting on how last year concluded, I can honestly say I’m thankful for it. As strange as it seems, that ending helped shape us into who we are now and where we stand today.”
Adversity has been a recurring theme throughout Hurts’ athletic journey. He lost a national championship game as a freshman with Alabama in 2016, then was benched during halftime of the next title game, watching as Tua Tagovailoa led the team to victory. After serving as a backup for another season, he transferred to Oklahoma, where he developed into a stronger passer before being selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Eagles in 2020.
Initially criticized due to the presence of Carson Wentz, Hurts stepped into the starting role late in his rookie season. He succeeded in guiding the Eagles to the playoffs the following year in his first full season and eventually reached the Super Bowl in 2022. Despite demonstrating success on the field, doubts regarding his proficiency as a passer persisted until his stellar performance against the Chiefs showcased his ability to control the game.
“When all is said and done, I don’t measure my success in numbers, statistics, or passing yards,” Hurts expressed. “For me, it’s all about championships and rings. That’s the lens through which I evaluate my achievements.”
In the clash against the Chiefs, Hurts delivered an impressive performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, along with rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. This feat allowed him to join Hall of Famer Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to achieve at least 200 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing for at least 50 yards and another score in a Super Bowl.
While Hurts earned the MVP title, much of the Eagles’ success is attributed to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, whose strategies led to a remarkable defensive display, culminating in a long-awaited championship. The Eagles managed to sack Patrick Mahomes six times, marking the first instance where Mahomes has faced such pressure in his eight-year NFL career. They also secured three turnovers, one of which was a pick-six from rookie Cooper DeJean. Remarkably, they accomplished this without blitzing, as Fangio’s defense effectively neutralized Mahomes’ initial options, allowing their front four to generate pressure.
“Clearly we have tremendous talent on defense,” Sirianni stated. “Vic Fangio is among the finest coordinators in the history of the game. Last night, he solidified his legacy as potentially the greatest defensive coordinator ever.”
Hurts’ legacy is still in progress; at just 26 years old, he has a significant football future ahead. He recognizes there’s more to accomplish, even after capturing the Super Bowl MVP title. “This is a journey,” he remarked. “I’m still on my path, and so is our team.”
