Joe Whitt knows Jalen Hurts must be stopped.
The Commanders’ defensive coordinator met with the media Thursday and was very direct regarding Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and his game plan for using Hurts.
Hurts is perhaps the strongest quarterback in the NFL. He is another running back out there when he determines to run.
Whitt candidly offered Thursday, “Well, we’ve had a number of these guys (running quarterbacks) that we’ve had to prepare for. And so, the one thing is, if he’s going to run the ball and if the coordinator makes a decision for him to run the ball, we’re going to treat him like a running back, and we’re going to hit him that way. So, that’s their decision. If they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit, if they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket. But that’s what we’re going to do.”
In the teams’ second meeting this season, Hurts ran hard in the first quarter, was hit hard, concussed, and did not return. The Commanders faced Kenny Pickett the rest of the day rather than Hurts.
Jalen Hurts #eagles
Being evaluated for a concussion after this hit pic.twitter.com/CS0gRQD5hp
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) December 22, 2024
Yes, it is a message from Whitt. It is a message that Hurts can’t think he can run down the field and not expect to get hit like a running back would.
It may also remind officials that Hurts should not be guaranteed extra protection once he leaves the pocket.
However, the Eagles and NFL officials will interpret Whitt’s message, his defense must get after Hurts and contain Hurts in the pocket, or it will be a long day for the Commanders’ defense.
