Jalen Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl two years ago. Earlier this week, he threw an interception in practice. Some people have forgotten the first event, which saw Hurts MVP honors while completely outplaying Patrick Mahomes. Some are focused more on the second thing, which was supported by video evidence posted to X by the official team account.
It’s another reminder that we are smack-dab in the middle of silly season as it pertains to the NFL.
The Jalen Hurts interception
Pundits made a big deal about the practice interception with a straight face because the content machine must be fed. Some concern-trolled about the Eagles sharing footage of the incident, using at a springboard to wonder why they aren’t supporting their franchise quarterback. Hurts exists in a very odd space because he might be the best quarterback to win a Super Bowl that gets absolutely no credit for winning said Super Bowl. The Eagles are also a unique case as they provide no shortage of drama.
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The sanest headline, though completely in jest, to come out of the whole ordeal appeared on Bleeding Green Nation, which read “Jalen Hurts becomes first player in NFL history to throw an interception in practice.”
A meaningless interception broke through all the noise to earn space for discussion on Thursday’s Get Up.
“There is not another quarterback in the NFL that if they threw a pick in practice and it got posted on their social media that it would get that many views and/or attention,” Dan Orlovsky said. “Small part of me can respect and appreciate because Jalen hasn’t and doesn’t throw the ball over the middle of the field a ton and it’s a ball that gets thrown over the middle of the field and it’s a pick … But the fact that this has become such a big deal when we are one season removed from him winning Super Bowl MVP is outrageous.”
What does this mean for Hurts?
Those are strong words. But are they true? Is this actually a big deal? Are there actual humans who believe Hurts throwing a practice interception is a big deal?
I would like to think the best of human nature and say no. I want to believe that all the chit-chat is merely performative, the end result of needing to make mountains out of molehills for clicks and attention. I need to believe that even the worst actors are simply just pretending to care for clout.
Because the other option is actually too horrifying to even consider.
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