Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, takes issue with Peyton Manning

Everyone in football knows what Peyton Manning meant to the NFL. First with the Indianapolis Colts, and later with the Denver Broncos, Manning was a transformative quarterback whose football IQ and precision elevated the position. His legendary rivalry with Tom Brady only fueled his mystique during the golden era of NFL quarterbacking.

Season after season, Manning proved he was one of the game’s greats, retiring with 71,940 passing yards, 539 touchdowns, 14 Pro Bowl selections, and two Super Bowl titles-with two different franchises. He still holds the record for most passing touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477) in a single season.  With a résumé like that, it’s no surprise that when Peyton Manning talks quarterbacks, people listen.

Jalen Hurts: a rising star still facing doubters

Jalen Hurts has already established himself as one of the new faces of the quarterback position in today’s NFL. He can throw, he can run, and he has the leadership skills that have already taken him to two Super Bowls-winning one and narrowly losing the other.

 

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A post shared by Peyton Manning (@peytonmanning)

As is customary during the NFL offseason, rankings and lists begin to surface, sparking heated debate over who belongs where among the league’s elite quarterbacks. And Hurts is at the center of that conversation.  To some analysts, Hurts is firmly entrenched in the top five. To others, he doesn’t even crack the list. The polarization is real, but one thing is certain: the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t losing any sleep over it. They know they have their franchise quarterback locked in for years to come.

No list from Peyton Manning this year-thanks to Jalen Hurts

This week, it was revealed that Peyton Manning would not be releasing his annual list ranking the top quarterbacks in the NFL. And the reason? A text message from Jalen Hurts last year, shortly after Manning unveiled his top five without Hurts on it.

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— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) December 30, 2024

“I named five guys, and Jalen Hurts texted me like 20 minutes later, ‘I didn’t make your list?’ Now, Jalen’s mad at me. So, no list today… I’m a quarterback fan. I know how hard it is to play. So, I pull hard for quarterbacks. No list this year”.

Manning explained with a smile.

Hurts and the Eagles remain NFC powerhouses

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Eagles will once again be a top contender in the NFC. With a talented and well-structured roster built over the past few years, it’s difficult to see a conference rival that can dethrone them easily.  Perhaps the Detroit Lions, if they can finally shake their playoff nerves, will be in serious contention for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. They’ve flirted with greatness in recent seasons but have consistently fallen just short. Another possible challenger could be the Los Angeles Rams-if their key players stay healthy.  Still, as things currently stand, and barring unforeseen changes, the Eagles remain the team to beat in the NFC.