Getty Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco get instruction from the coaching staff during their first practice at 2021 training camp.
The biggest non-secret in sports has been whispered into existence. Finally. Jalen Hurts is the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
First-year head coach Nick Sirianni announced that Hurts would be his QB1, the spot vacated by outgoing starter Carson Wentz. Hurts took all the first-team reps during training camp and led the ones for two series in the first preseason game. He’ll be under center for Week 1 on Sept. 12 in Atlanta.
“Really, nobody else got any reps with the ones. And, Jalen’s known, ‘Hey, nobody else has gotten any reps with the ones but me.’ And Jalen’s our starter,” Sirianni told reporters. “And he’s done a great job. We wanted him to take advantage of the opportunity and take the reins with the advantage of the opportunity that he got and we feel like the preseason that he had, he did that.”
Joe Flacco secured the backup job after an 188-yard, two-touchdown performance on Friday night versus New York. Gardner Minshew – acquired in a trade on Saturday – will begin the year as the third-string quarterback.
“Again, nobody else has worked with the ones, so you could you really argue we named a starter a while ago,” Sirianni said of Hurts. “But, Jalen will be our starter, and he’s earned that right with a great preseason, and we got a lot of confidence in him and that room in general.”
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Jordan Mailata Beats Out Andre Dillard
The other biggest non-secret was at the starting left tackle spot where Jordan Mailata easily won the job. The big Aussie had been in competition with Andre Dillard, but a knee injury ended that battle on Aug. 10. Dillard was losing the job prior to getting hurt.
In addition to naming Jalen Hurts his starting QB, #Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says Jordan Mailata is his starting left tackle. Former rugby player is a Week 1 starter in the NFL at a premier position. Impressive.
Sirianni wouldn’t declare Mailata the winner when asked about it last week. On Tuesday, the rookie head coach made it official.
“Jordan had a great camp, and Andre had a great camp,” Sirianni said. “Andre missed some time. During that time, the chemistry with one offensive line was able to build. It’s a good problem to have. We have two left tackles that can really start, in my opinion, across the NFL.”
Zach Ertz Sticks Around on Final 53
Zach Ertz was thought to be on the trading block all summer. With Week 1 only 13 days away, the three-time Pro Bowler remains on the 53-man roster. Ertz and Dallas Goedert lead the depth chart there.
“It’s a good problem to have, right?,” Sirianni said. “Really good problem to have because you got two really good players right there.”
Eagles are keeping 4 tight ends for now is Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll. Richard Rodgers not on the 53 man roster
The decision to keep both talented players seems to spell more 12 personnel for the Eagles. Two tight-end sets were the norm under Doug Pederson, a trend likely to continue with Sirianni in charge.
“You always want to get your best players on the field,” Sirianni said, “and so that doesn’t mean – just because we want to be a little bit more 11 than 12, it doesn’t mean you don’t mix it in and work through it.”
Hey guys we got a lot of eagles news to talk about!! Travis got waved. Howard and Hightower got let go. And Jordan Mailata was named starter!! AND JALEN HURTS WAS NAMED STARTER WHEN I FOUND THAT OUT I WAS LIKE WOOOOAHHH!!!! Thankfully No news about Zach ertz being cut!! Go birds