The Philadelphia quarterback drama is heating up.
Rookie Jalen Hurts made a strong case for why he would continue as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starter, pitching three touchdowns and running for another Sunday in a wild 33-26 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, the same day it became clear that Carson Wentz was not I don’t want to get stuck in Philadelphia if he keeps the backup.
Hurts finished 24-for-44 for 338 yards and rushed for 63 yards in a comeback bid that just fell short on the road.
Wentz is unhappy with the way events played out in the organization and would like to leave the Eagles if the current situation continues, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, adding one more pressure point to a quarterback situation that promises it. to dominate low season.
The Eagles are financially committed to Wentz after giving him a four-year extension of $ 128 million in the summer of 2019. They would get a dead cap hit of about $ 60 million if they cut it and would get a maximum hit of over $ 30. million in one transaction.
But Hurts is expected to hold onto the starting gig for the rest of the season, and if his strong play continues, it would be difficult for management to return the keys to Wentz for 2021 without questions being asked.
Hurts became the first Eagle to have three passing touchdowns and a thrilling score since Nick Foles in 2013. He caught fire in the second quarter, threw three scoring passes to clear a 16-0 deficit and brought in the Eagles halfway through six.
He tied the score with a hasty touchdown from seven yards late in the third quarter, but the Eagles (4-9-1) were unable to seal the deal in the fourth, despite being on the door several times. were correct, even at the end of the game. game when a few Hail Marys in the end zone fell incomplete.
Hurts has thrown five touchdown passes to one interception and has rushed to 198 yards and a score in two-plus games since taking over from Wentz, who struggled through the first 12 games of the season. He is the first player in NFL history to have 500 passing yards and 150 rushing yards in his first two careers, according to research from Elias Sports Bureau.
If Philadelphia chooses to leave Wentz, it must act before the second day of the 2021 league year, as its $ 22 million 2022 base salary is fully guaranteed and its 2021 roster bonus of $ 10 million will be paid on the third day of the competition. year.