Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' emerging quarterback, recently navigated a media session filled with probing questions about former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. The intrigue surrounding Martindale’s defensive strategies against Hurts spilled into an intensive querying, placing the young quarterback in the spotlight.
A Season of Lessons
The Eagle's prior season had its highs and lows. Starting with a stellar 10-1 record, the season dramatically shifted as the team lost six of their final seven games. It all culminated in a disappointing wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reflecting on the season, Hurts has been candid about his desire to grow and improve through these challenges.
A significant part of Hurts’ development is his proactive approach to understanding defenses better. Notably, Hurts reached out to Martindale and current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. "I was just trying to pick his brain, see what he saw in us, trying to get some tips on some things," Hurts revealed. "I’ve had a lot of respect for what he's done."
Seeking Knowledge from Masterminds
Hurts' conversations with Martindale were more than just casual exchanges; they were informative discussions aimed at deepening his football acumen. "I joked about the competitiveness between the two of us, but having those conversations with him and seeing what certain techniques defensive backs are playing and what his intentions are behind each play, what’s he trying to take away, where's he vulnerable at—that's crucial for my development," Hurts noted.
Martindale’s insight into how the Giants game-planned against Hurts provided valuable perspectives. Hurts emphasized the importance of continuing to pour knowledge into his metaphorical cup, a recurring theme in his remarks. "It was more so for me trying to continue to pour into my cup in terms of knowledge," affirmed Hurts.
Building on the Past
The tumultuous end to the Eagles’ previous season became a powerful learning experience for Hurts and his teammates. "We've had a lot of success against him, and I think that was one we were trying to make a run, make a push," Hurts said, reflecting on the highs they experienced before the season's downturn.
Engaging with Fangio also allows Hurts to gain diverse perspectives on defensive strategies. Fangio’s comprehensive understanding of defenses is an invaluable resource for Hurts as he seeks to better prepare himself for future matchups. "Seeing what certain techniques defensive backs are playing and what his intentions are behind each play—what's he trying to take away, where's he vulnerable at—all of that is an eventual tool for me in my development and understanding where the boys are, so I can play better football," Hurts explained.
The Road Ahead
Hurts’ commitment to his improvement is evident in his determination to engage with and learn from defensive experts. "Sometimes I think people are only able to know what they understand. Sometimes people don't know what they don't know," Hurts stated. "But in that regard, I think where we are is you have reports and you have rumors and then you have reality. We're in reality right now."
His mindset reflects a mature approach to professional growth, understanding that each piece of knowledge he gains can enhance his performance on the field. "All of that is an eventual tool for me in my development," reiterated Hurts. "This team is one of those teams that's going to do that, especially with the things that we've been able to experience."
Ultimately, the trials and tribulations of the previous season served as a developmental period for Hurts and the Eagles. "It was a developing time, it was a time of development for us, and that's something we learned from," Hurts admitted. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and improvement underscores his commitment to leading the Eagles to future success, building on the foundation of lessons from the past.