Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Post-Game Transcript)
On what he saw on the long reception to Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks:
“Great finish by him, way to bring that in. That was a big moment in the game to establish ourselves a bit. I think there’s an opportunity to grow and be able to maintain that level of attack, but I can’t say enough on how he showed up, played, and executed. For that play — Just the repetitions and being aligned, being on the same page, knowing that every route is alive. I think there’s going to be a natural maturation within this system, and particularly maturation within the end-game chemistry that we build, because that’s something that is very important. When you’ve got new pieces, new elements, and new voices coming from new directions, it’s all about honing in and building that chemistry together so we can find ways to go out there and win.”
On mentioning chemistry:
“I’m happy that we were able to do that today.”
On how important his chemistry with Eagles TE Dallas Goedert been over the last few years, and how they build chemistry with the newer guys through the new system:
“That’s a great point and I think a great catch. It’s something that we’re all experiencing together. We’ve got new coaches at almost every position on the offensive side of the ball, especially when it comes from instilling the values and the philosophy of this new scheme. We’ve got new players that are going to make a lot of plays for us this year in important new roles. We’ve just got to continue to fine tune those things. The best way to learn is from experience and being able to reflect upon that experience. We’ve had a lot of great work over the summer. I’ve talked about that a lot. It’s very valuable. A lot of great work in training camp, very valuable. When you get into these end game situations, it’s the best experience to be able to reflect on, so I’m proud that we’ve laid a brick for a win in this Week 1 and we’re able to take that step and be 1-0 this week, while we’re all also hungry to improve and continue to push forward in the same direction.”
On the process of deciding to run on the 3rd and 18, as opposed to trying to finding someone open:
“It’s just playing ball, going out there and playing ball and going out there and playing ball.”
On dealing with the pressure that he received today whether it was simulated or actual blitzes:
“There’s room to improve. Look, it’s a really good team first and foremost. It’s a really good team and I don’t want to take anything away from how they played. Our defense played well, and I think we’ve got to help them out in terms of capitalizing on that field position and taking advantage of the opportunities we have but take nothing away from their Defensive Coordinator and the way that they call their game and how their players played. They played, attacked the ball, really populated the line of scrimmage in a multitude of ways and it’s something that we’ll learn from.”
On what he thought Eagles Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion wanted to work through in the second half:
“I think there’s a room and a space to just narrow things down and kind of build things in the same direction. I think as the flow of the game, he’s got a feel for what we’re doing, and these situations are transitioning throughout the game too. You’re expecting a situation to come up, but in all reality, we’ve got to help him out. We should never be in 3rd & 19 or 3rd & 18. We should never be in that position. We’ve got to keep ourselves more so on schedule and take advantage of our opportunities. We hit the explosive early in the game and then we’re beating the clock. We’ve got to burn the time out. That’s a collective thing. It takes everybody doing their job, everybody doing their one-eleventh.
Obviously, Coach is going to have some things that he wants back. I’m going to have some throws that I want back and I’m going to have sometimes where; we’ve got to line up quicker. You need to get down, get set, and we have to come back to the huddle and be urgent. I think for us, and I say it all the time, urgency isn’t an option. We’ve just got to hone tune on that. Not an excuse from me in terms of it being week one. We’re just pushing for excellence in everything that we do with that. Room to improve, room to improve.”
On how he thought the logistics went today working with Eagles Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion:
“I really fixed my mind to not worry about; I fixed my mind to not put stock into the minutiae. I’d consider that minutia when it comes from, I guess, the things that are outside of the process. The process is get the play, get the plan. It’s the whole weeks of work that we’re putting together regardless of who’s putting in what. For us to have all the great work that we’ve had to this point and have an opportunity to get on the grass together, I think that’s what it’s all about. Again, going back to in-game experience and building that in-game chemistry. I think [Eagles OC Sean Mannion] Coach did a great job today and I can see the joy on his face. It’s a big-time deal winning his first game as a play caller. Glad to be a part of that. I’m happy for him.”
On his touchdown to Eagles TE Dallas Goedert in the fourth quarter:
“It’s a great play. A great play. Y’all are digging, y’all trying to figure something out.”
On if he feels there are situations when he can take over offensively:
“Yeah, but it’s not something that’s forced. It’s the same focus that you have throughout the whole entire game. It’s the same poise that you play with throughout the whole entire game. And so, it goes back to all 11 being on the same page and then me taking responsibility and the opportunities I have with the ball in my hand. Talking about this on a production meeting leading up to the game with [Former NFL Quarterback & FOX Analyst Tom] Brady. When you’re playing a position, a lot of it is about making sure you’re in the right play, when you’re doing the right thing that takes no talent. Are we in the best run? Are we protecting ourselves in protection? Is everybody aligned doing those little things first? That is the most important thing. It’s more of an operation and being able to set the table and manage the things you’re tasked with managing as a quarterback and then all the other things are to come. I ended on the note of it taking all 11. It takes all 11.
There are going to be times when you could ask [Eagles RB] Saquon [Barkley] that same very question. I remember vividly him taking an outside zone, cutting back and kind of closing the game versus Washington two years ago. That’s him taking over and making a play. It’s just about meeting the moment when your opportunity comes. Collectively, we’ve got a lot to build on, obviously a lot to correct and I’m excited to get back into the process of becoming the team that we’re supposed to become.”
On the play of Commanders QB Jayden Daniels:
“I got a ton of respect for [Commanders QB] Jayden Daniels. I think he’s one of the premier quarterbacks in this league and it’s never a safe space to be when he’s got the ability and he’s got the confidence that he has to go out there and play. A lot of respect for him, a lot of respect for him and I give a pat on the back to our defense. Can’t applaud them enough for how they played and they were able to nip it up in the bud when they needed to, when they had to. A great team win.”