Is Philadelphia Moving Away From What Made Jalen Hurts Dangerous?

A Simple Truth Emerging in Philadelphia

At this point in the 2025 season, one conclusion feels increasingly unavoidable: the Philadelphia Eagles are at their best when Jalen Hurts runs the football. It is not a controversial claim, nor a new one. In fact, it has been a defining truth of the Nick Sirianni era. Yet as losses have piled up and offensive efficiency has slipped, the Eagles appear to be drifting away from the very element that once made them so difficult to defend.

Hurts is still productive. He is still respected by opposing defenses. But the way Philadelphia is using him has changed — and the results have followed.

The Numbers Tell a Clear Story

Hurts’ rushing usage has notably declined in 2025. Through this point of the season, he is on pace for the fewest rushing attempts of his career as a full-time starter. In losses to the Chargers, Bears, and Broncos, Hurts recorded some of the lowest rushing totals of his career, including just two carries in one game.

Those numbers are not coincidental. Historically, games in which Hurts is heavily involved in the run game correlate strongly with Eagles victories. His legs force defenses into uncomfortable decisions, slow down pass rushers, and create wider throwing windows for Philadelphia’s elite receiving corps.

When that element is removed or reduced, the Eagles’ offense becomes easier to predict — and easier to stop.

A Shift in Offensive Identity

The Eagles’ offensive identity under Sirianni has always been built around multiplicity. Zone-read concepts, quarterback keepers, and run-pass options were not gimmicks; they were foundational tools that elevated the entire system. Defenses had to account for Hurts on every snap, even when he did not keep the ball.

In 2025, those concepts have appeared less frequently. Hurts is throwing more than ever, particularly during Philadelphia’s recent losing streak, where he attempted more passes over a three-game stretch than at any other point this season.

While Hurts is capable as a passer, asking him to consistently carry the offense from the pocket changes the equation. The Eagles become more conventional, and defenses no longer face the same level of structural stress.

Coaching Philosophy vs. On-Field Reality

Head coach Nick Sirianni has insisted that quarterback runs remain an integral part of the offensive philosophy. Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson has echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the decision to run Hurts depends on defensive looks and game flow rather than predetermined quotas.

In theory, that approach makes sense. In practice, however, the results suggest a disconnect. Regardless of intent, Hurts is running less, and the offense is suffering as a result.

Whether the reduction stems from play-calling conservatism, defensive adjustments, or a desire to protect Hurts physically, the outcome remains the same: Philadelphia is moving away from what made it special.

The Cost of Asking Hurts to Do More — Differently

As Hurts’ rushing attempts decrease, his passing volume increases. That shift places greater strain on an offensive line that has battled injuries and inconsistency, particularly on the right side. It also demands near-perfect execution from a quarterback who thrives most when defenses are forced to hesitate.

Without the threat of Hurts pulling the ball and attacking the edge, pass rushers are freer to pin their ears back. Blitzes arrive faster. Coverage disguises become more effective. The margin for error shrinks.

Recent games have reflected this reality. Drives stall. Explosive plays disappear. Mistakes become more costly.

Defensive Improvement, Offensive Regression

Ironically, this offensive downturn has coincided with improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Since the midseason break, the Eagles’ defense has climbed into the upper tier of league efficiency, showing increased discipline, energy, and urgency.

That makes the offensive struggles even more frustrating. Philadelphia has not been losing shootouts; it has been losing close games in which a more dynamic offense could have tipped the balance.

In December football, identity matters. Teams that know who they are — and lean into it — survive. Teams that hesitate often fade.

Is It System, Situation, or Hesitation?

The central question facing the Eagles is not whether Hurts can run, but why he isn’t. Is the staff prioritizing long-term health over short-term wins? Are defenses truly taking away those looks? Or has Philadelphia become overly cautious after years of physical wear and tear on its franchise quarterback?

None of these explanations are unreasonable on their own. But collectively, they raise concern. Hurts’ dual-threat ability is not an accessory to the offense — it is the engine.

Removing it, even partially, alters everything downstream.

The Road Ahead

With the regular season winding down and postseason positioning at stake, the Eagles stand at a crossroads. They can continue on their current path, hoping execution improves within a more traditional framework. Or they can recommit to what once made them elite.

That does not mean recklessly exposing Hurts to unnecessary hits. It means selectively, strategically reintroducing quarterback runs that force defenses to account for him as a runner again.

Playoff football demands pressure points. For Philadelphia, Hurts’ legs have always been one of the most effective.

A Question That Demands an Answer

Is Philadelphia moving away from what made Jalen Hurts dangerous? The evidence suggests yes — whether intentionally or not. The more important question is whether the Eagles recognize it in time to course-correct.

Because the history is clear, the data is compelling, and the pattern is undeniable: when Jalen Hurts runs, the Eagles win more.

And until that truth is fully embraced again, Philadelphia’s ceiling will remain lower than it should be.