Jalen Hurts has been tipped to win the NFL's MVP award this season after what has been a hugely impressive year, marking a huge step up from his first two seasons.
The second-round draft pick from Oklahoma had to wait for his chance to become starter at Philadelphia, spending his first season as Carson Wentz' back-up, before having a less than convincing first year as the main man in 2021. But this season, Hurts has hugely elevated his game, ranking close to the top of efficiency ratings as a passer, whilst being one of the more dangerous rushing quarterbacks in the game.
During his time with Alabama, Hurts had always been more of a rushing threat than a solid passer, with the Crimson Tide eventually benching him for now Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, where he impressed in his final year before being drafted by the Eagles in the second round.
Questions surrounded his talents as a pure passer, as he would look uncomfortable when called upon in his rookie season, before slight improvements in that regard in his second season. But his elite speed and rushing ability would make him a better option than any that Philadelphia had available, and would keep the starting job.
Now in his third season, Hurts has become one of the more impressive deep passers in the league - getting the best out of his elite wide receivers in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, with the Eagles sitting atop of the NFC division and primed for the number one seed.
And whilst Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains as the bettors favourite, Hurts is now quickly rising as competition for the award, as Osi Umenyiora has claimed Hurts has to win the award.
Speaking on his podcast with Jason Bell, he said: "The frontrunner has to be Jalen Hurts. When you look at what Jalen Hurts as done this year and the leap that he has taken from last year... as far as an offensive weapon, he ran for 100 and something yards last week, throws for 300 and something yards. He is dicing people up and the air and on the ground."
Bell, though, argued another name to watch out for, in Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback. He said: "Burrow, man... Joe Burrow. That team is getting better, that offense is looking like the best in the NFL, it has just taken a long time for them to get there."
Tagovailoa and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen are amongst the betting favourites alongside Hurts, Burrow and Mahomes.
