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PHOENIX − It wasn't a surprise that Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie professed his admiration for Jalen Hurts.
After all, 13 months ago, as the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Lurie boasted about Hurts' "clutch gene" as he was named the game's MVP in the Eagles' 40-22 romp over the Kansas City Chiefs.
That opinion hasn't changed despite a season in which Hurts and the Eagles offense regressed, falling well short of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
"Nobody is hurt more by (that regression) than myself and our group," Lurie said as the NFL annual meeting concluded March 31.
That first-round playoff loss, following a regular season in which the Eagles ranked 19th in scoring and 24th in total yards per game, set in motion a series of coaching changes, led by new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, with one main goal in mind: Getting Hurts to once again lead a record-setting Eagles offense.
"Ohhh, I love Jalen," Lurie said. "There’s no bigger fan of Jalen than me. Clutch gene, absolutely. MVP of the Super Bowl 13 months ago. Should’ve been MVP of the Super Bowl (in the 2022 season) against Kansas City the first time. Exceptional, so dedicated. I think you probably know I spend a lot of time with Jalen, as I do with most quarterbacks. (He) is incredibly dedicated to the game, to winning and being a huge winner. I love everything about him."
The context of that comment was a possible contract extension for Hurts, who is in the midst of a five-year contract worth as much as $255 million that goes through the 2028 season. That contract ranks 10th among NFL quarterbacks.
But Hurts' salary cap hit is $32 million this season and $42 million next season. It balloons to $97 million in 2029. An extension, therefore, would push the big salary cap hits further down the road. It also means a major long-term commitment to a QB who turns 28 this summer, and would be well into his 30s when a new deal would expire.
It seems that Lurie is willing to make that commitment.
Lurie, of course, wouldn't discuss the possibility of an extension for Hurts or anybody else.
But when a reporter first asked Lurie about an extension for "Jalen," Lurie thought the reporter was referring to defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Lurie's answer was less enthusiastic on what he thought was a question on Carter, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Carter is eligible for a contract extension this spring.
If that doesn't happen, the Eagles will have until May 1 to pick-up Carter's fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That is estimated to be worth $27 million in 2027 according to overthecap.com. It's expected that the Eagles will do that.
Lurie, thinking he was answering the question about Carter, called him, "A very good player and I’m optimistic" (an extension can get done).
Then, asked about the 2025 season, Lurie, again thinking that he was talking about Carter, said, "Good."
It was at that point that Lurie stopped to ask if reporters were referring to Hurts or Carter, saying, "Let's rewind." Then he became effusive on Hurts.
Both Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni rolled out the company line on Brown amid trade rumors when they met with the media on March 29 and March 30, respectively. Both said that Brown is "a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."
Lurie started to give that company line, too. Until he added a twist at the end that could lead to even more speculation.
"Howie kept saying that A.J. is an Eagle," Lurie said. "I just will say this: DeVonta (Smith) and AJ, two great receivers and also great teammates. I just want to say that. These two are wonderful to have − great teammates and great receivers. (Brown) is an Eagle."
Then Lurie said this: "We’ll see what happens down the road."
Once again, notice that Lurie, just like Roseman and Sirianni before him, did not quash any trade speculation by saying that Brown will be on the team for the 2026 season. On March 30, Sirianni wouldn't say if Brown would be present for the offseason conditioning program that begins April 20, in addition to the spring practices which begin in late May.
Recently, the Eagles sent an email to season-ticket holders with a survey about the future of Lincoln Financial Field, the team's home since 2003.
The survey reportedly said in part: "To help guide this vision, we're exploring potential updates to Lincoln Financial Field − including both renovation options and the possibility of a brand new stadium in the region."
Lurie was asked on March 31 if that means that the team is exploring options outside of the South Philadelphia stadium complex. Recently, the Chicago Bears announced that they're considering moving from downtown Chicago to a new stadium in neighboring Indiana.
The Browns are considering a new stadium in suburban Cleveland. Other stadiums, like in Barcelona and Madrid, are undergoing major renovations.
"Whatever is best for the fans," Lurie said. "We don’t really go on a geographical basis. It’s whatever’s best for the fans. I can’t tell you where Cleveland is, Barcelona. I don’t know. Bottom line, it’s what’s best for fans."
The Eagles' lease for Lincoln Financial Field expires in 2032. Lurie said that's not as far into the distance as it might seem, and that lease extensions are possible. Lurie has also expressed a desire to host a Super Bowl, which could mean a new stadium with a retractable roof.
"Our exploratory research is very much on looking at stadiums around the world and domestically. Is there anything we can learn from Nashville and Buffalo?" Lurie said about new stadiums for the Titans and Bills, respectively.
"Is there anything we learn from the renovations in Madrid and Barcelona? It’s really important. We want to maximize fan amenities and attract the best possible environment for Philadelphia. To do that, you’ve really got to do the exploratory research, don’t rush into it. This is a big decision.
"Where’s the team gonna be? I think it always pays off to take it slow, really understand what’s going on in the world of design, fan amenities, artificial intelligence in design, what kind of facility. So it’s really exploratory.
"I wish I could give you more permanent answers, but we’re going to take our time. I would hope in the next year or two we’ll have some more definitive approach to where we’re going."
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles Jeffrey Lurie 'loves' Jalen Hurts, subdued on A.J. Brown, Carter
Continue reading...
After all, 13 months ago, as the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Lurie boasted about Hurts' "clutch gene" as he was named the game's MVP in the Eagles' 40-22 romp over the Kansas City Chiefs.
That opinion hasn't changed despite a season in which Hurts and the Eagles offense regressed, falling well short of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
"Nobody is hurt more by (that regression) than myself and our group," Lurie said as the NFL annual meeting concluded March 31.
That first-round playoff loss, following a regular season in which the Eagles ranked 19th in scoring and 24th in total yards per game, set in motion a series of coaching changes, led by new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, with one main goal in mind: Getting Hurts to once again lead a record-setting Eagles offense.
"Ohhh, I love Jalen," Lurie said. "There’s no bigger fan of Jalen than me. Clutch gene, absolutely. MVP of the Super Bowl 13 months ago. Should’ve been MVP of the Super Bowl (in the 2022 season) against Kansas City the first time. Exceptional, so dedicated. I think you probably know I spend a lot of time with Jalen, as I do with most quarterbacks. (He) is incredibly dedicated to the game, to winning and being a huge winner. I love everything about him."
The context of that comment was a possible contract extension for Hurts, who is in the midst of a five-year contract worth as much as $255 million that goes through the 2028 season. That contract ranks 10th among NFL quarterbacks.
But Hurts' salary cap hit is $32 million this season and $42 million next season. It balloons to $97 million in 2029. An extension, therefore, would push the big salary cap hits further down the road. It also means a major long-term commitment to a QB who turns 28 this summer, and would be well into his 30s when a new deal would expire.
It seems that Lurie is willing to make that commitment.
The Jalen Carter extension situation
Lurie, of course, wouldn't discuss the possibility of an extension for Hurts or anybody else.
But when a reporter first asked Lurie about an extension for "Jalen," Lurie thought the reporter was referring to defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Lurie's answer was less enthusiastic on what he thought was a question on Carter, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Carter is eligible for a contract extension this spring.
If that doesn't happen, the Eagles will have until May 1 to pick-up Carter's fifth-year option on his rookie contract. That is estimated to be worth $27 million in 2027 according to overthecap.com. It's expected that the Eagles will do that.
Lurie, thinking he was answering the question about Carter, called him, "A very good player and I’m optimistic" (an extension can get done).
Then, asked about the 2025 season, Lurie, again thinking that he was talking about Carter, said, "Good."
It was at that point that Lurie stopped to ask if reporters were referring to Hurts or Carter, saying, "Let's rewind." Then he became effusive on Hurts.
Lurie leaves A.J. Brown future in question
Both Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni rolled out the company line on Brown amid trade rumors when they met with the media on March 29 and March 30, respectively. Both said that Brown is "a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."
Lurie started to give that company line, too. Until he added a twist at the end that could lead to even more speculation.
"Howie kept saying that A.J. is an Eagle," Lurie said. "I just will say this: DeVonta (Smith) and AJ, two great receivers and also great teammates. I just want to say that. These two are wonderful to have − great teammates and great receivers. (Brown) is an Eagle."
Then Lurie said this: "We’ll see what happens down the road."
Once again, notice that Lurie, just like Roseman and Sirianni before him, did not quash any trade speculation by saying that Brown will be on the team for the 2026 season. On March 30, Sirianni wouldn't say if Brown would be present for the offseason conditioning program that begins April 20, in addition to the spring practices which begin in late May.
Is Lurie pining for a new stadium − outside South Philly?
Recently, the Eagles sent an email to season-ticket holders with a survey about the future of Lincoln Financial Field, the team's home since 2003.
The survey reportedly said in part: "To help guide this vision, we're exploring potential updates to Lincoln Financial Field − including both renovation options and the possibility of a brand new stadium in the region."
Lurie was asked on March 31 if that means that the team is exploring options outside of the South Philadelphia stadium complex. Recently, the Chicago Bears announced that they're considering moving from downtown Chicago to a new stadium in neighboring Indiana.
The Browns are considering a new stadium in suburban Cleveland. Other stadiums, like in Barcelona and Madrid, are undergoing major renovations.
"Whatever is best for the fans," Lurie said. "We don’t really go on a geographical basis. It’s whatever’s best for the fans. I can’t tell you where Cleveland is, Barcelona. I don’t know. Bottom line, it’s what’s best for fans."
The Eagles' lease for Lincoln Financial Field expires in 2032. Lurie said that's not as far into the distance as it might seem, and that lease extensions are possible. Lurie has also expressed a desire to host a Super Bowl, which could mean a new stadium with a retractable roof.
"Our exploratory research is very much on looking at stadiums around the world and domestically. Is there anything we can learn from Nashville and Buffalo?" Lurie said about new stadiums for the Titans and Bills, respectively.
"Is there anything we learn from the renovations in Madrid and Barcelona? It’s really important. We want to maximize fan amenities and attract the best possible environment for Philadelphia. To do that, you’ve really got to do the exploratory research, don’t rush into it. This is a big decision.
"Where’s the team gonna be? I think it always pays off to take it slow, really understand what’s going on in the world of design, fan amenities, artificial intelligence in design, what kind of facility. So it’s really exploratory.
"I wish I could give you more permanent answers, but we’re going to take our time. I would hope in the next year or two we’ll have some more definitive approach to where we’re going."
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles Jeffrey Lurie 'loves' Jalen Hurts, subdued on A.J. Brown, Carter
Continue reading...
