The Philadelphia Eagles are still searching for an offensive coordinator to replace Kevin Patullo.
So far, the team has cast a wide net of candidates, with many taking jobs elsewhere or pulling out of the running to narrow down their opportunities. From the outside looking in, it seems like the Eagles’ OC job is a tough sell. Many point to Jalen Hurts as a reason why that might be.
Whether the negative rumors surrounding Hurts lately are wrong or right, the former NFL champion Chris Long suggests that the Eagles have to find someone to challenge and put pressure on Hurts either way.
“I’m not absolving [Kevin Patullo], he lost his job for a reason, but if there are certain things that they had to withhold that are not quarterback preferences, then they have to press him to do those things this offseason,” Chris Long recently said on the Rich Eisen Show. “The guy has won a Super Bowl. He has beaten Patrick Mahomes on the biggest stage. Do I think he’s one of the best five quarterbacks in the NFL? No, but that’s perfectly fine, you can win with Jalen Hurts, you have in the past.”
It’s no secret that the Patullo-Hurts duo struggled in 2025. Many blamed the offensive shortcomings on Patullo’s lack of creativity in the passing game. But Hurts earned his fair share of criticism as well. The veteran quarterback was hit with blame as he ran less, limiting his threat-level to the defense.
If the lack of running is, in fact, a Jalen Hurts preference, then Long urges the Eagles to find a guy who will come in and make sure that Hurts does the uncomfortable things to open up the offense to find better success in 2026.
“You have to build some continuity, and you have to press him, challenge him to do things he’s not comfortable with.”
In 16 games, Hurts threw for 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2025. On the ground, Hurts rushed 105 times for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. It was the first time he failed to surpass 600 rushing yards in a season since his rookie year in 2020, when he had just four starts.
The Eagles’ search has included many different names. Some are former head coaches, some never even called plays. While experience is a plus, the Eagles simply need to find the right partner for Jalen Hurts, who hasn’t had an opportunity to settle in with an OC in a long time.
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