Eagles QB Jalen Hurts receives another dose of disrespect from an unexpected place

The Eagles QB is used to it by now, but there will still be some frustration from fans.

Adam Holt NFL News Writer
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Dec 20, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) leaves the field after defeating the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles are no strangers to doubters. Quarterback Jalen Hurts receives plenty of pressure from fans and backlash from media around the league. Even then, he has proven to win when it matters most more often than not.

Recently retired linebacker Lavonte David, a long-time star defender for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did not hold back when asked about preparing to play the Eagles during his career. He noted that the focus was never on stopping Hurts as their top priority.

“Jalen Hurts was never a guy we worried about,” David detailed on The Arena podcast. “Our game plan was always their offensive line, stopping the run.”

David wasn’t afraid to call Hurts out a bit, and it still creates more controversy. Does many teams think this way? Will we see this sort of defensive plan play out this season, even with a new offensive play caller for Philly?

The Bucs are 4-2 against Hurts’ Eagles including the playoffs, Tampa got their two playoff wins against him in 2021 and in 2023, respectively.

David did give Hurts some credit as well, though. He explained how having a constant change at OC can hurt development and make life much harder on a QB. Hurts will have his seventh offensive coordinator of his career in 2026 with Sean Mannion.

Only time will tell. Regardless, Hurts can add one more name to the long list of people who have called him out as a potential weak link in Philly.