As Jalen Hurts, the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, heads into the final year of his rookie contract, the team is hopeful of securing an extension with him in the coming months.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts that the Eagles might need to pay Hurts more than $50 million annually. Because Hurts was chosen in the second round of the draft, he doesn’t have the option for a fifth year, and therefore the Eagles are likely to strike a deal soon before his value rises further. But at what price?
Despite playing at an MVP-caliber level this past season, a $50 million per year salary for Hurts could be a tough financial burden for the team. The need to maintain a talented roster around Hurts may ultimately limit how much they feel comfortable offering him while simultaneously being able to maintain a championship level of success on the field.
In my opinion, the Eagles must pay Hurts whatever is necessary to keep the train moving. Yes, paying him will significantly impact the ability to sign or extend other key players. However it seems quite proven that quarterback is the most important position on the field and therefore it is a no-brainer decision. Regardless of which side you are on, these negotiations will be fun to watch as they unfold throughout the offseason.