Eagles OC Sean Mannion already has a hurdle to jump over with Jalen Hurts, and practice hasn’t even started yet

He’s got plenty of pressure on him, too.

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer

Apr 1, 2026 1:36 PM EDT

Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jalen Hurts is set for another season repping the Philadelphia Eagles. With that, the expectations are clear, and offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is a hopeful improvement when it comes to the offense’s play calling. He may have more to fret about than people may expect already, though.

In a recent piece from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Tim McManus, a couple of concerns were raised about Hurts’ time as the starting QB in Philly. The story provided insight from anonymous sources inside the Eagles org.

Jalen Hurts’ past with coordinators could be a concern for Sean Mannion, regardless of production

In the aforementioned ESPN piece, Hurts played a hand in the lack of efficiency in the Eagles offense last season, according to

“Though there is plenty of blame to spread, Hurts has had a hand in the offense becoming calcified, according to several team sources who spoke to ESPN on condition of anonymity.

He has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage. He diverts from the game plan and changes playcalls to what some feel is an excessive degree. His strong preferences, coupled with the coaches’ efforts to play to his strengths, which include his deep-ball accuracy and throws to the perimeter, limit the breadth to which the offense can expand — or at least that’s the way it has gone in the past.” — ESPN

Additionally, the report also revealed there was tension between Hurts and now New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore, when the coach was the OC in Philly during the 2024 season.

“Multiple team sources described the relationship between Moore and Hurts in 2024 as “tense” at times.

Moore’s work with Philadelphia earned him the Saints job, which meant another coordinator for Hurts, his fourth in as many years.” — ESPN

Our latest at ESPN

Jalen Hurts stands at a crossroads. Despite his immense success, sources say he has a hand in the Eagles offense becoming calcified and frustrations have grown.

With @Tim_McManus https://t.co/wyOz4XafRR
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 1, 2026

Even when the offense was good enough for a Super Bowl run, there was still frustration. Yes, the passing offense still had a lower ceiling. It was effective enough, as a complete unit, to get the job done and earn the play caller a promotion somewhere else in the league, though. Notable.

For new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, this situation has only gotten more complicated as the time passes.

PHOENIX — “The #Eagles did little to quell a growing sense from league insiders that an [A.J. Brown] trade has become more of an inevitability than an uncertainty.”

With Les Snead confirming the Rams had trade talks, and Mike Vrabel not hiding the Pats’ interest, Brown’s exit is…
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 31, 2026

Between this update on Hurts’ history inside the building, from anonymous sources, and the uncertainty around A.J. Brown’s future with the team, it will be interesting to see how the OC navigates all of it for Nick Sirianni’s team in 2026.

The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives!