Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, is making headlines not just for his on-field performances but also for his off-field endeavors. Recently, during a media availability session, Hurts faced a barrage of questions about former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, highlighting his keen interest in understanding defensive strategies.
In a striking display of curiosity and eagerness to improve, Hurts reached out to Martindale directly. “I was just trying to pick his brain, see what he saw in us, trying to get some tips on some things,” Hurts explained. “I think it was more so for me trying to continue to pour into my cup in terms of knowledge, and I've had a lot of respect for what he's done.”
Last season, the Eagles kicked off with a stellar 10-1 start but stumbled significantly towards the end, losing six of their final seven games. Their playoff journey was cut short with a wild card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurt’s desire to learn and grow stems from these challenging experiences. “It was a developing time, it was a time of development for us, and that's something we learned from,” he acknowledged.
Learning from the Best
Understanding his team's defensive challenges, Hurts has not limited his outreach to Martindale. He is also engaging with the Eagles' current defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. Hurts believes these interactions help him better understand the intricacies of defensive strategies and techniques, ultimately aiding his development as a quarterback.
During his interactions with Martindale, Hurts gained valuable insights into how opponents prepare to neutralize him. “Sometimes I think people are only able to know what they understand. Sometimes people don't know what they don't know. But in that regard, I think where we are is you have reports and you have rumors and then you have reality. We're in reality right now,” he reflected.
Hurts' conversations with Martindale were enlightening. “I joked about the competitiveness between the two of us, but having those conversations with him and seeing what certain techniques defensive backs are playing and what his intentions are behind each play, what's he trying to take away, where's he vulnerable at,” Hurts said. These discussions have provided him with crucial tools for improvement, helping him to see where defenses might be weak and how he can exploit those vulnerabilities.
Aiming for Continuous Improvement
Hurts' commitment to improving his leadership and quarterback skills is evident. “We've had a lot of success against him, and I think that was one we were trying to make a run, make a push, and I wanted to pour into my cup of knowledge, pick his brain, and get some things,” he noted.
Martindale’s respect for Hurts is mutual. “He's a very respectable person, actually a great person, a great coach and has a great mentality on how he goes about his business,” Hurts said, clearly valuing the relationship they've built through these discussions.
Hurts is laser-focused on applying the knowledge he has accumulated to better his gameplay and leadership abilities. “All of that is an eventual tool for me in my development and understanding where the boys are so I can play better football,” he highlighted, underscoring his determination to harness every opportunity for growth.
With the upcoming season, Hurts and the Eagles are setting their sights on significant improvement. “This team is one of those teams that's going to do that, especially with the things that we've been able to experience,” Hurts concluded, confident in the potential that lies ahead for both himself and his team.
Jalen Hurts’ proactive approach to learning from defensive experts like Martindale and Fangio showcases his dedication to his craft. By continually seeking out knowledge and striving for excellence, Hurts is not just aiming to bounce back from a challenging season but is also setting a strong foundation for a promising future in the NFL.