Jalen Hurts Reflects on His 'Unprecedented Journey' to Super Bowl Triumph
NEW ORLEANS – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found himself deep in thought on Sunday, just moments after being crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP following the Eagles’ commanding 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. When asked about his “journey to the top of the mountain,” Hurts took a pause, reflecting upon his path, which he described as “not normal.”
Flashbacks of being benched for Tua Tagovailoa during his time at Alabama likely crossed his mind, yet Hurts smiled as he described his path to glory. “It’s been a very unprecedented journey,” he began, sounding emotional. “The journey truly begins when you start, and it’s only the end when you finish. I think it means a lot.”
The road to his first Super Bowl win was paved with “ups and downs, highs and lows,” as Hurts recalled. Notably, one of those lows was the bitter loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023.
Despite Hurts’ impressive effort, accounting for four touchdowns, it fell short against the might of Kansas City and their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes’ three-touchdown performance secured him his second of three Super Bowl MVP awards, after clinching a 38-35 win.
However, Hurts showcased near perfection in Super Bowl LIX. He completed 17 out of 22 passes for 221 yards, secured 2 touchdowns, had 1 interception, and rushed for 72 yards along with a touchdown.
With just under three minutes left on the clock and a victory in hand, Hurts left the field to cheers, making way for backup quarterback Kenny Pickett.
“He was phenomenal,” remarked Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. “He stayed composed throughout the game, in complete control. His passes were on point, and when no one was open, he capitalized by running.”
Hurts became the first quarterback since Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX to lead both teams in rushing yards. He also shattered his own record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a Super Bowl, surpassing the 70 yards he ran in Super Bowl LVII. Notably, Hurts is the only quarterback to have multiple 50-yard rushing games in a Super Bowl.
Moreover, Hurts set a record as the first NFL player with at least five passing and five rushing touchdowns in a single postseason.
If an MVP could be given to an entire unit, the Eagles’ defensive squad, led by coordinator Vic Fangio, would’ve claimed it.
The Eagles’ defense took center stage in halting Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offensive machine. With three turnovers forced and nearly three quarters of keeping the Chiefs out of the end zone, the defense had a game to remember. Despite Fangio’s 0-8 record against Mahomes prior to this showdown, his defense shined brightly.
The defensive lineup offered numerous standout performances: Josh Sweat delivered 2.5 sacks and four pressures, Milton Williams achieved two sacks, while linebacker Zack Baun and cornerback Cooper DeJean each recorded interceptions.
“Our offense managed to capitalize on opportunities, enough to score points, while the defense, they played outstandingly,” praised Hurts. “They’ve played this way all season. I firmly believe that while offense wins games, defense wins championships.”
In the days leading up to the game, much of the buzz was centered around Mahomes and the Chiefs’ quest for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl win. Yet, Hurts left no room for doubt as to which quarterback deserved the MVP accolade. Mahomes struggled, facing six sacks—a career-high, fumbling once, and throwing two interceptions.
“Timing is everything,” Hurts remarked. “Last time, it just wasn’t our moment. Sometimes, you must wait your turn. Though the performance was stellar, it wasn’t enough. Processing those emotions and the experience fueled my determination and ignited an intense desire to win.”