Jalen Hurts - Quarterback, eagles Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-09 | Full transcript (primary source).
Jalen Hurts spoke at a press conference on September 9, 2026, as the Philadelphia Eagles prepared for their season opener. The event focused on the team's readiness and the challenges of facing a new opponent in the first week of the NFL season.
Transcript
Hurts: What have you found in your career, some of the challenges that's going up against the first time court? Well, you don't really know what you're going to get. You try and dig into the background and where they come from, the tree that they're in, and that's something that you honor. Ultimately, I think just going into a week one in general, it comes down to playing clean football, playing with good fundamentals, playing together, everybody being aligned, and trying to keep the focus on those things, the things that we can control.
Hurts: You've been through this process a lot now as a starting quarterback. Do you get a feel for the chemistry you guys have to get a feel for where the offense is going in the week one? It's an ongoing thing. It's every year. Every year is different. And you assess it given where you are. And I think we're just going on our journey. We're on our process right now. So we're here. Had our first day of practice in this official week, and we're just building from there.
Hurts: Do you feel like you're where you guys need to be heading into the first game? We're taking it a day at a time. Yeah, we're taking it a day at a time. I think you guys have built a lot of confidence, and we've got a lot of reps, and we've been very intentional over the time. We've shared together. So we're just going to continue to work. It's about to work.
Hurts: Is there a year you had for your week one success? Keeping the main thing, the main thing, and having the time to prepare, and playing together. I think it's just a reflection of the work and the preparation that we've had. So it's a confidence, I think, going into the game and the clarity as a unison, because you go throughout the season, the conversations of what we should be doing, how we should be doing it kind of arising. It's very clear, usually, when you go into week one. I think that's one of the more challenging things going throughout the season is how do you maintain that. So just want to try and start off on the right foot.
Hurts: When it comes to Saquon, what did the summer show you in terms of how this scheme will be a fit for him and maybe showcase his skills? Well, I think he's been very excited about being able to run in a new scheme and maybe have some more consistent action to some degree. And so I know he's worked his tail off. I've got a lot of confidence and excitement for him and his ability and what he's going to do.
Hurts: Nick mentioned again today that with an offensive coordinator, he really wanted conviction. I'm just curious, what do you see in that from Sean as you all are picking into first game weight? Yeah, it's a great word. My whole goal has been to just continue to get hip to hip with him over time. And so I think the importance of building chemistry and specifically in-game chemistry with not just new receivers or a new scheme but new coaches and a whole entirely new team. So that's the focus.
Hurts: So unexpected to be in the booth, how does that affect you? I don't know. We'll see. We'll see. It's been the first time a coach has been in the play college, been in the booth since college. So I think just again, the importance of building that chemistry and getting hip to hip with him, knowing what he's thinking, how he's processing things. And ultimately, I think the in-game chemistry, that'll be built, the in-game experiences we have coming soon will be very valuable for us and what we ultimately want to accomplish.
Hurts: How do you feel about our new receivers or new wide receivers in one of the season? How do you feel like it's going for those guys? It's just been about the work. It's really been about the work. I can't make it more plain than that when it comes to just everyone having a hand in, being intentional, being eager to work. I've really appreciated that, the heart and the desire and the will from the unit to work. And we just want to continue to build on that.
Hurts: How have you seen Sean's approach shift from the install period that you went through during camp to now being in a game plan week where you've got to set a plan again? Yeah, I think he coaches the exact same way. I'm not going to get too far into the strategy and the X's and O's of everything. But in training camp, you're installing an offense. And there isn't. You don't have the walkthroughs. You're not watching the tape as intentional, as diligent as you are in the season. So a lot of that is time to find yourself, calibrate a bit, fill out things, and get a feel for what you're doing. So we are where we are right now. We're going to continue to build forward.
Hurts: How about the offensive line, the fact that Dan looks healthy at landing. It's feeling better. Lane, we just talked to him. He's feeling good. How much of a luxury that those guys healthy and ready to go? Yeah, that's a big luxury. So just hope we can go out there and perform like we know we can.
Hurts: This entire off season, we asked you a lot of times about your involvement in the run game in the new offense. And you think you've kind of given, I would think, an honest answer, but I think we'll see how it plays out. Is some of that though also a gamesmanship and the element of surprise and not giving away too much? Or do you think it's just going to depend upon week to week and how they feel like they need to utilize you and your legs when necessary? Yeah, I think for my career, my approach on it, especially as it's going on and the changes continued is going and doing what I'm asked to do and really trying to understand what the goal is, what the objective is, and how we want to execute. So I don't know how things will look. I don't know what the flow will be. But I think I'm excited about having a North Star and Coach telling us what he intends on doing and how he wants to attack. And so the game can go a number of different ways. I think I've always played the game to win. And I think all of that is a part of building in-game chemistry with the new unit, a new team, new scheme, everything.
Hurts: Can you tell us about that North Star? Is it involved you in the ground game? Not specifically in the ground game. I'm saying in general, when you watch this offense from afar, that's not an element that you see. So I think it's definitely a unique opportunity there. But that's up to Coach Sean and how he wants to steward that. And we've got to build that chemistry. I'm always willing and open to doing anything and everything to win. And it's not like you say, I'm going to drop back and run it on this play. You've got to play the game. So we'll find that field and see where it goes.
Hurts: As you often said, that identity is something that takes time to build. It's not necessarily something that comes together right away. What do you need to see from the offense on Sunday that gives you an indication, at least, that you're building in the right direction toward establishing a concrete item? I think the goals that Coach Sirianni has set for us are great points to follow. And just playing fundamental football, playing assignment, alignment, key football, controlling the things we can on the field, playing with great mentality, a great edge, and high effort, and going out there and playing. You alluded to recipes of success in week one. I think that that's been a big part of that. And so it starts with coaching. Goes on to everyone, getting in line and executing what he's asking us to do.
Hurts: Thanks, Coach. Parks Fraser also used that term, North Star. Is that from any particular coach? Is that new? It is from Parks. It's great. Great catch.
Hurts: As about the previous question about Sean being in the booth, the communication between drives, you've always had that on the field. In 21, they brought Ryan down to have that direct look. What's it like when he's upstairs? Is it as effective when you're over the phone? It's by preference of coach. It's by preference of coach. If he feels that's what gives us the best chance to win, the best chance for him to see the game and find his flow and what he's doing, that's the direction we need to go in. And so I'm going to support whatever makes him feel comfortable in that degree. And for me, coming to the year, thinking about breaking down walls of communication and talking and communicating the things that I'm seeing and whatnot, there is a wall being in the box. But still, having open dialogue, using the red phone, calling if I see something, hearing them out. And it's just a part of the process. I was thinking about yesterday how I would meet with Stout every Tuesday. And he would give me the game plan and do those things. And so a lot of it is new. And it's a transition. It's a bit of an evolution. But we've got great guys here that I can lean on and that can fill those voids so we can do what we're trying to do moving forward. So just take it a day at a time and continue to work and experience work, build work, let the chemistry develop naturally.
Hurts: Thanks, Joe. Thanks, everyone.
