Eagles DeVonta Smith puts teammate Jalen Hurts in the ‘Big 5’ of Elite NFL quarterbacks along with Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen
Former Eagle Darius Slay may have left Jalen Hurts off his elite quarterbacks list, but WR DeVonta Smith insists it's incomplete without the Super Bowl winner.
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Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith (Image via IMAGO)
DeVonta Smith and Jalen Hurts share a special connection that is not limited to the football field. Bringing the Lombardi Trophy home only made it stronger.
On the other hand, there are still doubters out there who post question marks on Hurts’ ability even after he became the Super Bowl LIX MVP. For instance, former Eagles defensive back Darius Slay left with a parting gift by excluding the 26-year-old from his elite quarterback list. In his book, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow are the only four elite QBs in the NFL.
Look, I got nothing but love for [Jalen] Hurts. I know I probably could have said it a little bit different[ly] for folks. But me and Hurts talked; that is my brother always. Like I said, I’ve been always giving him praise each and every day. Even told him in person when he was a rookie—I told him this was going to be his team, man. And this is his team.
Darius Slay said
The list sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. Fans, especially from Philly, were in shock with Slay leaving out Hurts from the list. Even the Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons could not believe the list.
DeVonta Smith sticks by Jalen Hurts
Smith doesn’t share the same view as Slay. He knows Hurts better and longer than anyone in the Eagles facility due to their association with Alabama.
The former first-rounder included Hurts in his elite quarterback’s list and called it ‘BIG 5’ instead of just four.
Slay said, you know, the Big Four. For me, it’s the Big Five. Jalen is in that five. The four that he named, and then I’m putting Jalen in there. To me, that’s the Big Five.
DeVonta Smith told NBA legend Carmelo Anthony on his 7 Pm In Brooklyn podcast
Smith further told Anthony that one of the reasons he went to Bama was because Hurts was the quarterback. The two of them shared the “same mindset,” winning a CFP trophy together (Smith won another one in 2020 after Hurts moved to Oklahoma).
When I got drafted to Philly [Eagles], I was happy as hell. Like I got my dog here, I know he was vouching for me. It was like ‘We about to pick up where we left off.’ It made me more comfortable with someone—I have that relationship who I kinda had a connection to and just knowing that, If I had nothing else in this city, I know I got him [Jalen Hurts].
DeVonta Smith added
"If I ain't got nothing in this city, I know I got him."
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) March 20, 2025
The QB-WR bond that Jalen Hurts & DeVonta Smith have is unmatched ✊ pic.twitter.com/UkArjGwfgs
It’s debatable whether Hurts is elite or not, but his numbers do push him into the conversation. Hurts recorded the highest completion percentage (73.3%) in Super Bowl history and the most QB rushing yards (72) ever in the Super Bowl.
The 2x Pro Bowler also became only the seventh quarterback to win a Super Bowl within their first five seasons in the NFL—Troy Aikman, Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes are the other six.
The Eagles knew they were going to the Super Bowl
2023 was a roller coaster ride for the Eagles. They began the campaign winning with a 10-2 record but lost the following six games, including the wild card playoffs qualifier. The mid-season capitulation raised questions about the team’s system and the players’ determination to reach the Super Bowl once more.
Smith and Hurts knew that the team had the moxie required to get back in the Super Bowl, and they did by winning the NFC and then beating the Chiefs in New Orleans.
DeVonta Smith finished the year with 68 receptions for 833 yards and a career-high 8 touchdowns. He also played all four games in the playoffs, posting 16 receptions for 190 yards and one touchdown. Hurts contributed 248 completions for 2903 yards (68.7% completion rate), 18 passing touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, along with 150 rushes for 630 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in the regular season.
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