(Video) ‘Shocking’ Jalen Hurts nearly ended up at Steelers in 2020: “I didn’t think I was going to be an Eagle”
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was ready to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers when he realized the call he got on draft day came from Philadelphia.
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Jalen Hurts (Image via IMAGO)
Jalen Hurts is a polarizing quarterback, but no one can deny his impact on the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent success in the NFC. The Eagles drafted Hurts in 2020, but the 26-year-old thought a different Pennsylvania franchise wanted him instead of Philly.
Hurts was part of a stacked class containing Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Love. Despite posting big numbers for Oklahoma in his final year and bagging a spot in the All-Big 12 roster, scouts and analysts did not view Hurts as a first-round pick.
When his chance finally arrived, Hurts received a call from Pittsburgh and he thought it was the Steelers but did not realize the call came from 412 rather than 215.
I thought I was going to Pittsburgh [honestly]. So when I saw [a Pennsylvania phone number], I thought, ‘This is Pittsburgh.’ [Then] they said the Philadelphia Eagles… I had no idea I would come here.
Jalen Hurts told former teammate Jason Kelce on the New Heights podcast in 2022
It took Hurts a short moment to process everything as the reality finally hit him. It wasn’t the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Eagles making a move for him.
I had an interview with them at the draft, but from the interview, I didn’t think I was gonna be an Eagle… When my number got called, I was just like, ‘Let’s go’.
Jalen Hurts said
Jalen Hurts thought for sure the Steelers were drafting him. Instead they took total knucklehead Chase Claypool. Another Steelers draft miss. pic.twitter.com/nSPj5nyvMz
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 26, 2025
The Eagles drafted Hurts 53rd overall. He was the quarterback taken in the second round.
Why did Jalen Hurts fall to the second round?
Scouts who evaluated Hurts never graded his pocket passing favorably. His relationship with Tagovailoa also played a part in the decision because Tua ultimately replaced Hurts at Alabama before he moved to the Sooners.
The Steelers ignored Hurts because they still had Ben Roethlisberger, be it an aging one. Top brass believed Big Ben still had a couple of years left in him at the highest level, so they passed on Hurts; otherwise, he could have been taken in the first round.
The Steelers instead drafted wide receiver Chase Claypool. Furthermore, there were inside rumors that Roethlisberger wasn’t happy with the Steelers drafting Mason Rudolph in 2018 in the third round, so taking Hurts in the second might have created a rift in the locker room.
Regardless of how the events played out, Hurts ended up in Philly and it didn’t take long for him to replace Carson Wentz. Since becoming the starter, he has led the Eagles to the playoffs every single season and has a record of 46-20 in the regular season.
Under Nick Sirianni’s guidance, Hurts became a Pro Bowler twice, bagged two NFC East trophies, won the NFC Championship game, and played in the 2022 Super Bowl (lost to the Kansas City Chiefs).
On Sunday, January 26th, the Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders 23-55 in the NFC Championship game. Hurts threw 20 completions from 28 for 246 yards, one touchdown along with 10 carries for 16 yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns and will make the second Super Bowl appearance of his career at New Orleans in February.
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Ishan Misra
(3085 Articles Published)