Jalen Hurts has emerged as the absolute franchise face of the Philadelphia Eagles. Contract talks are likely coming up in the offseason. The Eagles are likely to do everything they can to keep their quarterback. But they would have to pay a high price to do so.

“You either win or you learn.” Jalen Hurts’ words immediately after the 35-38 loss in Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs revealed a lot about the quarterback.

About his love for the sport, his professionalism, his past – and about his future.

His future will probably be decided in the coming weeks. That’s because Hurts is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback’s performance has put him in prime negotiating position – not making it easy for the Eagles to remain a winning team.

Jalen Hurts: Rising to quarterback stardom

Jalen Hurts has experienced both sides of his quote so far in his career. As a sophomore in college, he led the Alabama Crimson Tide to their second straight Championship Game. He was benched at the break and watched Tua Tagovailoa take his place, win the title and become the starter.

Hurts put the defeat away, learned from it and changed universities again in his fourth year of college. With the Oklahoma Sooners, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that season. In the draft, he still only joined the Eagles as a second-round pick and projected backup to Carson Wentz.

Three years later, he’s the new face of the franchise, just made his first Super Bowl, finished second in MVP voting. Competitor and MVP Patrick Mahomes was full of praise: “If there were any doubters left, there shouldn’t be any now. That was a special achievement. I don’t want that to get lost in the defeat they suffered.”

Jalen Hurts is the new face of the franchise

Rightly so. Hurts’ performance with three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown was historic. Even if it wasn’t enough for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the end. The quarterback took the loss – although he probably had the least part in it.

“I’m not doing this to be loved. I’m not doing it to be hated. I don’t do it to get the approval of others. I do it for the guys in the locker room. I do it for all the time we put into this,” the 24-year-old said after the game.

Philadelphia Eagles must go after Hurts

It’s also because of statements like that that the Eagles want to keep their star. And may have to dig deep for it. “ESPN” reporter Adam Schefter already stated that Hurts can expect a big payday: “$45 million. That to me is the starting point. And maybe that’s not even close. “

On the one hand, a contract extension at this point should be in both parties’ best interests. Hurts has little left to prove, and the Eagles could be giving him the right confidence right now.

On the other hand, the franchise is under some time pressure. Hurts doesn’t have a fifth-year option, could become a free agent in 2024 at worst. And with Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert or Lamar Jackson, there are other quarterbacks who could send prices skyrocketing with new contracts.

Kansas City Chiefs as role model

Paying Hurts the salary he deserves may be out of the question. The Eagles, and especially general manager Howie Roseman, will then be called upon to build the team around a potential $50 million superstar who has so far used up only a fraction of the cap space on his rookie contract.

The Chiefs, of all teams, who signed Mahomes to a ten-year, $450 million contract in 2020, serve as a model. Their success proves that the bold move was the right one. The front office provided the necessary resources. The Super Bowl squad included ten rookies from the last draft alone. All of them with correspondingly favourable contracts.

A step that the Eagles could also take. Maybe even have to. Even if there is a risk.

Jalen Hurts is determined to be a winner

Hurts said in an interview on Tuesday that winning is his focus right now and a championship is the goal. But the day will come when his new contract will be discussed.

At the latest, the franchise will have to go in a certain direction. To give their new star the help he needs.

So that Hurts can win next season and no longer just have to learn.