If there’s a more disrespected quarterback in the National Football League than Jalen Hurts, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to identify him. Constructive criticism is okay. That comes with the territory for an NFL quarterback, especially one leading the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, the comments made about Super Bowl champions’ starting quarterback and his ability more often than not venture away from ‘constructive’ and travel towards insulting statements.

Skepticism is okay. Most can live with that, right? People are skeptical about Lamar Jackson’s clutch gene and whether or not Aaron Rodgers is still elite.

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Jalen’s story is something else entirely, though. He’s been dismissed as a footnote in his own success. He’s seen as someone who’s ‘just along for the ride’ on an Eagles offense loaded with talent.

Meanwhile, he’s led the Birds to two Super Bowl appearances and won one of them, and arguments can be made that, had the Kansas City Chiefs‘ groundsman not greased the field before SB 57, Philly might be the owners of three Vince Lombardi Trophies.

Jalen Hurts will return to the MVP conversation in 2025, and three key games will elevate his stock.

Say what you will about Jalen Hurts. Say what you will about the NFL’s ‘elite tier’. It’s unreasonable to try to talk the reigning Super Bowl MVP off the list.

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Legitimate MVP campaigns by Jalen were halted after Hurts suffered an injury and missed time in 2022, and once Philly’s season spiraled out of control one year later. Remember, Hurts had the best odds to win league MVP that season after the Eagles outlasted Allen’s Buffalo Bills in overtime to improve to 10-1 on the campaign.

Expect a more balanced attack by the Eagles’ offense after Saquon Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard rushing season. History has taught us that those usually don’t come in succession. Philly endures difficult stretches of football in 2025. Don’t lose sleep. They’ll be fine, thanks, partly, to an MVP-level season by Jalen.

Here are three games that will catapult him into candidacy and elevate his stock in the race.

Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs – Week 2 (September 14)

It’s an early test, but it’s a test against one of the AFC’s top teams in their house. Jalen Hurts… Patrick Mahomes… Philadelphia Eagles… Kansas City Chiefs… Andy Reid… Nick Sirianni… Vic Fangio… Steve Spagnuolo…

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Of course, this game will be factored into the MVP race. The winning QB, Jalen Hurts or Patrick Mahomes, will have an early lead over the other in an 18-week, 17-game race.

Eagles at Green Bay Packers – Week 10 (November 10)

This one will be venomous. It just feels like bad blood is brewing between these two franchises. This is one of those games Jalen will need to perform well in on the road, and he will.

Doing so in primetime in front of a national audience vs. a good young Green Bay Packers team will further entrench him in the MVP discussion. Lambeau Field seemingly has that effect on people.

Eagles at Buffalo Bills – Week 17 (December 28)

The Nature Boy Ric Flair said it best. To be the man, you have to beat the man. Josh Allen is the reigning NFL MVP. Voters snubbed Saquon Barkley to give it to him, and it’s time to set the record straight.

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Week 17’s Eagles showdown vs. the Bills has all of the necessary ingredients for a classic, and if our math is correct, this one measures as a classic shootout that will come down to the wire. If Hurts outplays Allen, a very likely scenario, he’s in the driver’s seat for postseason recognition. A few sacks by Philly’s defense won’t hurt either.

Final thoughts: Sure, Joe Burrow may have more arm talent. Yes, Josh Allen has already won an MVP trophy. Everyone knows Lamar Jackson has already won the honor twice. Jalen has a better resume than all of those guys.

His career QB rating (93.5) slightly exceeds Josh Allen’s (93.4). He’s crafted a better record than Joe Burrow: 46-20 (Hurts) vs. 38-30-1 (Burrow). Here’s an interesting nugget. Joe’s lone tie came vs. Philly as a rookie.

Lamar is polarizing. There’s no doubt about it, but while Burrow can at least claim to have gotten to a Super Bowl, Allen and Jackson haven’t even qualified for football’s biggest game yet.

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Might we end the discussion about greatness there? Reputations are earned during the postseason. Why did everyone stop relying on that argument?

Say it out loud. Jalen Hurts… 2025 NFL MVP… It has a nice ring to it.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Defining Eagles games that could raise Jalen Hurts’ MVP candidacy