Drew Brees Criticizes Jalen Hurts' Slide

Drew Brees, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback, voiced his disapproval of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' decision to slide during a critical moment in the team's Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans.

During the broadcast on Fox, Brees expressed his disappointment, stating, "I was hyping up Jalen Hurts, and now, I’m going to get on him. Lower your shoulder and go get the first down." The incident occurred in the second quarter when Hurts scrambled on a third-and-6 play. Instead of attempting to gain the necessary yardage, Hurts slid well short of the first down marker, resulting in a fourth-and-3 situation.

Brees elaborated on his criticism, noting that the ball would be placed at the spot of the slide, not the end of it. He emphasized that Hurts' decision turned a potentially manageable fourth-down situation into a more challenging one.

This criticism touches on a recurring discussion about Hurts' playing style. While known for his scrambling ability, some, including former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, have previously suggested that Hurts could be more aggressive. Last season, Vermeil commented on Hurts' ability to run, suggesting that "the more time he touches it, the less man-to-man coverage you get the next time around."

Despite Brees' critique of the earlier play, Hurts ultimately led the Eagles to a come-from-behind victory against the Titans, with a final score of 24-20. He completed 26 of 37 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, though he also threw two interceptions. Hurts added 16 rushing yards on five carries, helping the Eagles secure their second win of the season and maintain an undefeated record.