Fresh off his Most Valuable Player performance in Super Bowl LIX, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts allowed himself some downtime to relax, reflect, and bask in the glow of a World Championship.
After about a week, he was right back at it.
If you think the ultimate success of last season has changed how Hurts approaches the next challenge, you haven't been paying attention to his message these last five seasons. Hurts loves the grind. Hurts seeks the competition. Hurts needs the burn.
It's just how he is made.
"I've approached this offseason like every other offseason," Hurts said, eyeing his sixth season since the Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. "I've taken it a day at a time, coming in and learning as much as I can, trying to develop that chemistry with the playcaller (new Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo), and as offensive leadership changes, you have to deposit time into it."
Patullo is the sixth playcaller the Eagles have had in Hurts' seasons here – Doug Pederson in 2020, Hurts' rookie season, Head Coach Nick Sirianni, Shane Steichen, Brian Johnson, and Kellen Moore in the years to follow – and so this is nothing new for Hurts. There is continuity with Patullo, who has been here since Sirianni was hired.
Hurts talks about it as if it is part of his progress, learning from his mistakes, growing with new perspectives, adding his view, and respecting the many steps needed to be taken to shape and grow the offensive approach.
"It is an evolving process every season. There is going to be change and you have to adapt and continue to build your game, build your offense," Hurts said. "We have to make sure we're in a good position to do what we're going to do. Defenses have to pick their poison."
The Eagles' multipronged attack carved up teams last season with running back Saquon Barkley's 2,005-yard regular season and a record-setting playoffs. The receiving corps is outstanding. The line of scrimmage is dominating. Hurts wins with his arm, his legs, and his brain.
The pieces are there, but with each season comes new challenges and obstacles. Hurts looks for top-of-his-game consistency and victories and more Super Bowls. He has consulted with sports legends Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter to mine any tips they have. His inner drive is burning. The quest for greatness continues, MVP award and Lombardi Trophy notwithstanding.
Celebrating the Super Bowl victory? Yeah, for a short period time and then it was back to work.
"I got straight back to it," Hurts said. "I just kind of do that for my own sanity, my own sanity of beginning the process of fine-tuning the things I want to fine-tune, seeing how I can get better."
And that's Jalen Hurts, no matter what happens the day before, the week before, or in the Super Bowl-winning season before. He is ready to climb the mountain once again, step by step and grind by grind. That's what makes him tick. That's what keeps him striving for more.
"I don't think anyone is ever satisfied," Hurts said. "That's not what this game is about. This is about pushing yourself and preparing yourself to be the best you can be every day."
