Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is a very wealthy man after signing a major contract extension recently, but there was one notable factor to the deal.
Bucking the trend that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson started and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been pushing for, Hurts didn’t sign a deal that included fully guaranteed money.
While Hurts was handsomely compensated for his quarterback play after leading Philly to a Super Bowl berth this past winter, he seemed more interested in the idea of winning a title when talking about his new deal.
When asked by a reporter how it felt to be the NFL’s newly minted highest-paid player, he gave this very direct answer.
“Money is nice; championships are better,” Hurts said during the press conference.
"Money is nice, championships are better."
Jalen Hurts with a mic drop moment at his press conference today. pic.twitter.com/DYBFnpo4Bi
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 24, 2023
The terms of the deal seem to support this. Hurts’ new contract doesn’t hamstring Philadelphia in keeping its roster together however long the team’s Super Bowl window is open.
It is structured as such that Hurts won’t weigh too heavily on the Eagles’ cap space in the next couple of years.
Jalen Hurts salary cap hit rankings:
2023: 25th
2024: 19th
2025: 19th
2026: 10thThere is a legit chance he plays this contract without ever being top 10 in salary cap hits at the position #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) April 17, 2023
Hurts deserved to be rewarded for what he can provide the Eagles on the field, and he seems very determined to bring a title to Philly.
