Why the Jalen Hurts optimism feels forced amid Eagles offensive rebuild

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't need another reminder of how badly their offense lost its rhythm last season. What they needed was evidence that the reset under Sean Mannion could unlock something that had gradually disappeared.

So far, Jalen Hurts is providing it. The quarterback has been one of the most talked-about players in Eagles camp, with coaches and teammates repeatedly pointing to the same thing, he looks quicker.

Hurts ’ rushing production declined sharply in 2025, when he finished with 421 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, his lowest totals as Philadelphia’s full-time starter.

His designed-run usage also dropped substantially compared with earlier seasons. Mannion appears willing to change that.

The first-year offensive coordinator has incorporated more designed quarterback runs during camp while also introducing a more under-center-heavy structure, creating the possibility that Hurts could become a more active part of the rushing attack again.

Eagles defense notices Hurts’ speed

The strongest endorsement has come from the players tasked with chasing him.

“I think Jalen’s having a good camp,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “I think he looks faster.”

Fangio acknowledged that practice rules make judging sacks difficult because defenders cannot hit the quarterback, but he has seen several plays where the defense thought Hurts was trapped before he escaped.

“I think there’s been a few times where our guys think they had him and they really didn’t,” Fangio said.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter offered an even more striking description.

“I don’t know what it is but when I’m watching and I’m running [after him], it’s like a movie, it feels like I’m going slow,” Carter said. “He be moving man, he’s been working hard and he’s the one, for sure.”

Hurts himself has resisted the idea that anything dramatic has changed physically, saying he does not “feel any different” from previous years. The offense around him, however, certainly does.

Sean Mannion asking Hurts to play faster

Hurts has emphasized that the new system still comes back to basic quarterback discipline.

“In the end, you're still playing the position, and you want to play the position the same way, play with your feet, sweep through your reads, know exactly where you're supposed to go with the ball,” Hurts said.

He added that the objective is to understand “what we're trying to attack, being on the same page and playing each play.”

That may be the most important difference after Philadelphia’s offense struggled to consistently find answers in 2025.

Mannion isn't simply asking Hurts to run more. He's trying to marry his mobility with quicker processing, cleaner footwork and a structure that can threaten defenses in several ways.

The Eagles still have high-end talent around him, including Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith . Yet Hurts remains the player capable of changing the ceiling of the entire unit.

If the version teammates are seeing in camp carries into the regular season, Philadelphia may not just have a refreshed offense. It may have rediscovered the quarterback who once made it so difficult to defend.