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NFL Execs Reveal Brutal Truth on Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts Ranked 17th in NFL QB Tiers: What the Experts Say (and Why It Might Be Wrong)
Introduction: What Are "QB Tiers"?
Every year, Mike Sando of The Athletic publishes a famous ranking of NFL quarterbacks called "QB Tiers." Think of it like a report card for QBs, but the grades come from people who actually work in the NFL.
This year, Sando talked to a huge group of insiders:
- 8 General Managers (GMs) – the bosses who build the team
- 5 Assistant GMs
- 5 Former GMs
- 3 Other executives
- 9 Head Coaches
- 10 Defensive Coordinators (coaches who plan the defense)
- 5 Offensive Coordinators (coaches who plan the offense)
- 2 Offensive Assistants
- 1 Defensive Assistant
- 2 Coaches specializing in analytics/game management
Total: 50 high-level football minds.
Important Note: Just because someone has a fancy NFL job doesn’t mean they are always right. As the author Jimmy Kempski says, "high-level job in the NFL doesn’t always mean ‘knows what they’re talking about’."
The Top 16 Quarterbacks (Ranked Ahead of Hurts)
Here are the 16 QBs the panel placed above Jalen Hurts, in order:
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
- Josh Allen, Bills
- Matthew Stafford, Rams (Note: Original text says Bills, but Stafford plays for the Rams)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens
- Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys
- Drake Maye, Patriots
- Jared Goff, Lions
- Jordan Love, Packers
- Brock Purdy, 49ers
- Caleb Williams, Bears
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
- Sam Darnold, Seahawks
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Jalen Hurts, Eagles – Ranked 17th
Why This Ranking Is Controversial
Jimmy Kempski (the author) has a big problem with this list: It ignores winning in the playoffs.
The Justin Herbert vs. Jalen Hurts Comparison
- Both were drafted in the same year (2020).
- Herbert: 3 playoff appearances → 0 wins, 3 losses. In those games: 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, very low passer rating (64.7). His team scored only 15 total points in his last two playoff games.
- Hurts: Led Eagles to a Super Bowl win (after 2022 season) and another playoff run. Regular season record: 57-25. Playoff record: 6-4.
The Gap: Herbert is ranked 6th. Hurts is 17th. That’s an 11-spot difference!
Jimmy’s Thought: If you think Herbert is more naturally talented, okay. But an 11-spot gap? Results should matter "just a little bit," right?
Anonymous Executive Quotes & Jimmy’s Responses
The article shares four anonymous quotes from the voters. Jimmy replies to each (#JimmySays).
Quote 1: The "Chaos" Excuse
Defensive Coordinator: “Philly just won it all not too long ago, but I think of all the bulls— he had to deal with. They are not on the same page, going through different coordinators, and all the s— he had to deal with regarding A.J. Brown.”
#JimmySays:
- It’s true Hurts has played on loaded rosters (lots of talent around him). That’s a fair criticism.
- But other QBs get excuses made for them nationally; Hurts doesn’t.
- Changing Offensive Coordinators (OCs) every year is a massive challenge. An OC is the coach who designs the plays and calls them during the game. Imagine learning a new "language" every season.
Quote 2: The "Slants and Go-Balls" Critique
General Manager: *“Hurts can throw slants and go-balls. Is there anybody better at running slants and go-balls than A.J. Brown?"***
#JimmySays:
- Slant: A quick route where the receiver runs diagonally across the field.
- Go-ball: A deep route straight down the field.
- A.J. Brown was great at deep routes his first 2-3 years in Philly, but struggled badly in 2025.
- Saying Hurts only throws these two routes is silly. He can do more, even if he didn’t use the middle of the field enough lately (maybe due to scheme or his own choice).
Quote 3: The "Unsustainable" Warning
Defensive Coach: “You don’t want to count on Hurts to win a game unless it’s a go-ball, which is a 50-50 ball, except he’s had A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who can go catch it. His best plays are off schedule. It will become less sustainable as he gets older. And you can’t keep cycling through coordinators.”
#JimmySays:
- Off-schedule plays: When the play breaks down and the QB improvises (runs around, throws on the run).
- Jimmy disagrees: Hurts should be better at this given his athleticism, but often escapes the pocket and throws the ball away (out of bounds) instead of making a play.
- Designed runs: Many of Hurts’ best runs are planned by the coach (like the famous "Tush Push"), not improvisation.
- The "Go-ball only" claim is idiotic: Hurts is 57-25 in regular season, 6-4 in playoffs. He wins plenty of games without chucking it deep.
Quote 4: The New Coordinator Fit
Executive: “What I appreciate about Matt LaFleur was how he met Aaron Rodgers halfway when implementing a new offense (in Green Bay). I’ll be curious to see if Sean Mannion has the feel to marry what he wants to do with what Jalen does well, or do they say, ‘Jalen, you have to do this’?”
#JimmySays: Fair point.
Note: The quote mentions Sean Mannion (a backup quarterback), but likely means Kellen Moore (the Eagles’ new Offensive Coordinator in 2025). This appears to be a typo in the original source.
Key Takeaways
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Rankings are opinions from insiders, not facts.
- Postseason success (winning when it matters most) seems undervalued here.
- Context matters: Hurts has dealt with constant coaching changes and receiver drama.
- Statistical cherry-picking: Critics focus on specific route types ("slants and go-balls") while ignoring overall winning record.
- New OC (Kellen Moore) is a huge storyline for 2025 – can he build an offense around Hurts’ strengths?
Summary
Mike Sando’s annual QB Tiers placed Jalen Hurts 17th in the NFL, behind 16 other quarterbacks including Justin Herbert (6th) and three rookies (Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels). The voting panel consisted of 50 NFL executives and coaches.
The ranking sparked controversy because:
- Herbert has 0 playoff wins vs Hurts’ Super Bowl appearance and 6 playoff wins.
- Anonymous critics claimed Hurts only wins with "go-balls" to A.J. Brown and relies on unsustainable off-schedule magic.
- Author Jimmy Kempski rebutted each point: Hurts wins at a high clip (57-25), throws more than two routes, and his best runs are often designed. He also noted the unfair double standard—other QBs get excuses; Hurts gets skepticism.
The biggest upcoming factor: New Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore must adapt his system to Hurts’ strengths, rather than forcing Hurts into a rigid scheme.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Who is Mike Sando and why does his QB Tiers matter?
Mike Sando is a senior NFL writer for The Athletic. His QB Tiers is an annual ranking based on surveys of actual NFL decision-makers (GMs, coaches, coordinators). It’s considered a "insider’s view" of how the league evaluates quarterbacks.
2. What is an Offensive Coordinator (OC)?
The Offensive Coordinator is the coach responsible for designing the offensive game plan, calling plays during games, and developing the quarterback. Think of them as the "offensive architect." Hurts has had a new OC in each of his last three seasons (2023, 2024, 2025).
3. What are "slants" and "go-balls"?
- Slant: A quick, short pass where the receiver runs at a 45-degree angle across the middle of the field. High percentage, gets yards after catch.
- Go-ball (or "Fly route"): A deep pass where the receiver runs straight down the field. Low percentage, high reward.
4. What does "off-schedule" mean?
When the planned play breaks down (e.g., protection fails, receivers covered), the quarterback improvises—scrambling, extending the play, and throwing on the run. It’s "backyard football."
5. Why does Jimmy Kempski think the ranking is unfair?
He believes the panel overvalues physical tools/talent (like Herbert’s arm) and undervalues winning (Hurts’ 57-25 record, Super Bowl run, playoff toughness). He also notes Hurts gets less benefit of the doubt regarding coaching instability and roster context than other top QBs.
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