Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is positioned as an NFL MVP dark horse candidate for the 2026 season as the team implements significant offensive changes following a late-season collapse last year.
According to Next Gen Stats, Hurts registered a net negative of -11.1 in Expected Points Added on dropbacks over his final nine games of 2025, which included the postseason.
New Coaching Staff and Offensive Adjustments
To revitalize the unit, former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion replaced Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator, while Parks Frazier transitions into the quarterbacks coach role after serving as the offensive passing game coordinator.
Frazier is tasked with managing a quarterback room that includes Hurts, Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton, and Cole Payton.
"From the quarterback perspective, again, it's just trying to take one of the hardest positions in sports and make it as simple as possible," said Frazier.
"So you try to chunk things together."
Frazier spent the offseason program reinforcing fundamentals and building relationships with the quarterbacks to ensure the offense plays with increased speed.
"So you try to make it where guys can play fast even though there's a lot going on," said Frazier.
"That's been the biggest thing I learned from those guys is just, you know, you see it from the outside and you see all the motions, you see all the different plays, but how do you take that and you package it together to make it simple for the quarterback on the player, so they can go out there and play fast?"
Roster Changes and Team Chemistry
The offensive roster features major adjustments after wide receiver A. J.
Brown was traded to the New England Patriots following a rift with Hurts.
The team added wide receivers Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and rookie Makai Lemon, alongside second-round tight end Eli Stowers and returning running back Saquon Barkley.
In addition to tactical preparations, Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith recently maintained their team chemistry off the field by line dancing together at Smith's wedding, as seen in a trending video reported by Bleacher Report.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Jalen Carter is seeking a high-value contract extension prior to training camp despite coming off a down season altered by shoulder injuries.
The NFL also announced that it will not host a Supplemental Draft this year, preventing former collegiate quarterback Brendan Sorsby from entering the league for the 2026 season due to prior NCAA eligibility issues regarding gambling.
