The Philadelphia Eagles are making a change under center. Head coach Doug Pederson announced Tuesday rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts will start Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, with Carson Wentz as the backup.
Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson is naming Jalen Hurts his new starting quarterback and the rookie will start Sunday vs. the New Orleans Saints, sources tell @mortreport and me. Carson Wentz now will backup Hurts.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2020
Hurts took over for Wentz during this past weekend's game against the Green Bay Packers, nearly helping lead the team back from an early deficit before Packers running back Aaron Jones iced the game with a long touchdown.
The former Alabama and Oklahoma star completed just 5-of-12 passes, but also threw for 109 yards and a score while rushing for 29 yards on five carries. Pederson admitted after the game Hurts gave the Eagles a “spark,” though he initially refused to say whether Philly would roll with the rookie signal-caller going forward.
It did not take Pederson very long to come to a decision.
Realistically, this change has been in the cards for some time. Wentz has struggled immensely this year, completing just over 57 percent of his attempts while also leading the league in interceptions (15) and averaging just 6.0 yards gained per pass attempt.
The former No. 2 overall pick has also fumbled 10 times and been sacked a league-high 50 times. Granted, the Eagles have dealt with injuries and inconsistency in the trenches, but a decent number of those sacks have been the result of Wentz holding the ball far too long.
Pederson had alluded to Hurts receiving more playing time as the Eagles looked for ways to incorporate him in the offense. Now, the second-round pick will get a chance to show he can be the franchise quarterback of the future.
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