As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their Super Bowl LIX showdown against the Kansas City
Chiefs, quarterback Jalen Hurts stands at the center of their championship aspirations. Two
years removed from a heartbreaking loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII, Hurts has
grown—not just as a player but as a leader.
I had the chance to sit down with Hurts during Super Bowl week in New Orleans, where he
reflected on how his approach to the game has evolved and what has fueled the Eagles’ ability
to strike early with explosive plays throughout the postseason.
Fueled by Experience
The sting of defeat can either break a player or serve as motivation. For Hurts, the Eagles’
Super Bowl LVII loss has only intensified his desire to win.
“The flame has been ignited in me,” Hurts told me. “In terms of the desire to win, and working to
win. You can’t just bend on hoping for results to come without the work.”
That relentless work ethic has been the defining trait of Hurts’ career, from his college days at
Alabama and Oklahoma to his rapid rise in the NFL. Each setback has been a lesson, and
every experience has shaped him into the leader the Eagles need as they try to reclaim
football’s ultimate prize.
Fast Starts: The Eagles’ Secret Weapon
One of the biggest reasons the Eagles are back on the sport’s biggest stage is their ability to
generate explosive plays early in games. I asked Hurts how the team has been able to
capitalize on these moments, citing two key plays in their playoff run—his own 44-yard run on
the first possession against the Rams in the divisional round and Saquon Barkley’s 60-yard
touchdown run on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage in the NFC Championship Game
against the Commanders.
Hurts credited preparation and execution for their early-game success.
“Those plays just kinda come,” he said. “Kellen (Moore) has done a great job putting us in a
great position, and we have executed those plays.”
He also emphasized the role of the Eagles’ offensive line, which has paved the way for those
explosive moments.
“It all starts up front,” Hurts added. “The O-line does a great job creating lanes that lead to
explosive plays.”
The Eagles’ ability to seize momentum early has put opponents on their heels throughout the
postseason, and it will be a key factor in Super Bowl LIX against a Chiefs defense that has been
one of the best in the league this season.
The Final Test
For Hurts, Sunday’s game is about more than just personal growth—it’s about finishing what the
Eagles started two years ago. The lessons learned, the heartbreak, and the work put in since
their last Super Bowl appearance have all led to this moment.
If the Eagles can once again establish early momentum and dictate the pace of the game, they
will be in prime position to take home their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history—and
this time, Hurts intends to be the one celebrating at the final whistle.
