Category: Philadelphia eagles

 

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Jalen Hurts heads into the 2025 NFL season as an intriguing dark horse MVP contender, thanks to a blend of achievements and untapped potential that make him worth watching. Though he guided the Eagles to a Super Bowl title and took home MVP honors, questions still linger regarding his place among the NFL’s top-tier quarterbacks.

Since taking over as Philadelphia’s starter in 2021, Hurts has shown steady improvement. In the past four seasons, he has thrown for close to 15,000 yards and tallied 140 total touchdowns, blending his running and passing skills with sharper efficiency. His leadership and clutch performance have been vital to the Eagles’ rise, capped by a dominant 2024 playoff performance.

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) launches a pass from the pocket in the second half versus the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan–Imagn Images
Hurts benefits greatly from a loaded offensive unit. With stars like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, the Eagles boast one of the NFL’s most explosive attacks. Add in Saquon Barkley’s versatility out of the backfield, and Hurts gains more freedom, balancing air and ground threats. This mix sets him up for another impressive campaign.

Yet, Hurts must navigate several challenges to strengthen his MVP credentials. The Eagles’ revolving door at offensive coordinator — now with Kevin Patullo as the fifth in six years — could disrupt consistency. Critics also argue Hurts’ balanced offense might limit his stats compared to other pass-heavy quarterbacks in the MVP race.

NFL Expert Identifies Eagles’ Jalen Hurts as a Dark Horse for MVP

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) signals the play during the third quarter against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer–Imagn Images
Hurts may surprise the league by entering the MVP race this year. NFL.com’s Judy Battista expanded on this in a recent analysis on the league’s official website.

The current Super Bowl MVP had an up-and-down season last year, though he did finish as MVP runner-up in 2022. Surrounded by elite talent — A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert — Hurts has options, but with Barkley’s involvement, he might not post eye-popping numbers that MVP voters typically favor, even if his team dominates.

Nonetheless, Hurts perfectly fits today’s quarterback prototype — agile, adaptable, and mentally tough. His clutch performances and ability to win games could lift him in MVP conversations. If he sharpens his game further and keeps the Eagles among the top teams, his MVP buzz will only increase.

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) fires a second-quarter throw against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer–Imagn Images
Hurts’ rise from overlooked prospect to Super Bowl hero sets the foundation for a possible MVP campaign. Entering his sixth season, he has the talent, support, and drive to show he belongs in the NFL’s most elite class.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) warms up before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee–Imagn Images
This story originally appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was republished with permission.

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For the second time in eight years, the Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have reportedly discussed whether to pay Micah Parsons a premium or trade him for a massive return. Priorities, right?

That report conveniently surfaced hours before Super Bowl 59 started, signaling that Jerry Jones was trying to grab attention on the NFL’s biggest day.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys’ owner, nothing he leaks to the media can overshadow the Eagles’ well-deserved praise this week. They’ve earned every bit of it. With elite players across the board, Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts shutting down their critics, and Howie Roseman solidifying himself as one of the best GMs in NFL history, Philly is in a great spot.

While the Eagles will need to maneuver their salary cap going forward, their core is intact. The Cowboys, on the other hand, will likely keep lamenting their financial situation and refuse to pursue outside talent during the offseason.

They’re already toying with Parsons’ contract. CeeDee Lamb quickly called out the nonsense.

CeeDee Lamb calls out Cowboys over Micah Parsons contract drama Lamb is speaking for all Cowboys fans, who are fed up with the nonsense.

The only reason Parsons’ potential trade has come up is because the Joneses waited until the last year of his rookie contract to start negotiating an extension. From his first days in the league, it was clear Parsons was a cornerstone player for the team.

RELATED: Cowboys’ Kellen Moore decision may backfire in a way Jerry Jones didn’t foresee The Cowboys did the same with Lamb, who didn’t sign until the end of training camp last summer. Dak Prescott’s situation followed suit. Both Lamb and Prescott should’ve been signed during the 2023 offseason. The Joneses’ delay allowed trade rumors to swirl around Lamb and Prescott all summer, despite both players being committed to Dallas.

The Eagles, however, would’ve locked up Parsons two years ago. They extended DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson, drafted the year after Lamb in 2021, last offseason. They also signed A.J. Brown, Jordan Mailata, and even kicker Jake Elliott to extensions.

That didn’t stop Philadelphia from making Saquon Barkley one of the highest-paid running backs, signing linebacker Zack Baun, who excelled in the playoffs, or investing over $30 million in safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Joneses claimed they couldn’t spend last offseason because they had to pay Prescott and Lamb… who should’ve already been locked up.

The NFL world has seen through the Joneses’ tactics after last offseason, which was supposed to be “all-in.” While it’s satisfying to see Jerry and Stephen face backlash, it’s equally embarrassing that Lamb had to call out the organization over the Parsons situation.

If that doesn’t highlight the vast difference between the Cowboys and Eagles, nothing does.

 

 

One former Tulane Green Wave football star walked away from the big game in his hometown with a Super Bowl ring.

 

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Parry Nickerson (38) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Parry Nickerson (38) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

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It’s been a huge week for the city of New Orleans, for the Tulane Green Wave and its former defensive standout, Parry Nickerson.

 

The city hosted Super Bowl LIX and did a fantastic job. Tulane got plenty of great local and national publicity, especially as football coach Jon Sumrall was involved in plenty of the pre-game activities.

 

As for Nickerson? Well, he won his first Super Bowl.

 

Nickerson wasn’t in uniform for Sunday’s 40-22 Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. He was on Philadelphia’s practice squad and was not elevated to the active roster before the game.

 

But he still gets a ring, his first as a professional, even though he didn’t play in the game.

 

The cornerback joined the Eagles earlier this season as a practice squad signing in October. Philadelphia signed him as a free agent in June and he was cut during the preseason.

 

But he’s been fighting to be a part of a moment like this since he started his NFL career in 2018. He’s played for seven different teams, which started after he was a sixth-round pick in 2018 by the New York Jets and he made the team coming out of training camp.

 

He played in all 16 games that season, starting two games. He finished the season with 21 combined tackles, 18 of which were solo, along with a tackle for loss.

 

Since that season with the Jets, he’s played in regular-season games with four other NFL teams. He’s played in 30 career games with 33 total tackles (28 solo) with one pass defended.

 

The week was not only pro football’s biggest game, but it was a homecoming for the 30-year-old New Orleans native. He played his high school football at West Jefferson High School in nearby Harvey. He played his college football at Tulane. Given his New Orleans roots, Nickerson got a lot of attention, especially during the media days earlier in the week.

 

Nickerson overcame a career-threatening knee injury in his freshman year at Tulane to become a mainstay of the Green Wave defense. After coming back from the injury, he started 46 of his next 48 games, during which he intercepted 16 passes and deflected 31 more passes.

 

In his senior season in 2017, he was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist who finished the season with 55 total tackles, two tackles for loss, six interceptions, and eight pass deflections as he earned all-Conference honors.

 

Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata

Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata celebrates after defeat of Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Super Bowl. Photograph: Doug Benc/AP

Eagles player completes journey from reserve-grade rugby league

Mailata plays big hand in Philadelphia’s 40-22 win over Chiefs

Jordan Mailata, the giant rugby league convert from Bankstown, spoke of his “crazy, crazy journey so far” after making history by becoming the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl victory. The offensive tackle, taking part in his second NFL championship decider, played no small part in the Philadelphia Eagles’ stunning win over the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s showpiece game held in New Orleans.

 

In front of a star-studded Superdome crowd and a global audience of tens of millions, Mailata’s journey from humble beginnings in Sydney’s south-west to the pinnacle of world sport was completed, as he helped the Eagles to a one-sided 40-22 win over the Chiefs, whose hopes of securing a three-peat were dashed in spectacular fashion.

 

Mailata had a big impact on the game, particularly during the first half in which the Eagles raced to a 24-0 lead. The 27-year-old played a crucial part in the opening touchdown – a “tush push” play which saw star quarterback Jalen Hurts squeeze under a mass of bodies and into the end zone.

 

His tireless work in the offensive line also allowed Hurts plenty of time to stamp his authority on the game, either throwing downfield or making breaks forward himself when necessary. Mailata comes in at 2.03m tall and tips the scales at 166kg, and proved an imposing presence.

 

“You have got to want to be more physical,” Mailata told Fox Sports NFL. “That was a great defence we were going up against so we knew we had to answer that call. And that ain’t easy, you have to have the want to.”

 

The game turned into a rout as the Eagles cantered to their second Super Bowl in a decade and Mailata secured his first ring at the second attempt – after the disappointment of the 2021 decider which the Eagles lost to the Chiefs.

 

“It’s a completely new team, that’s the beauty about it, the culture that we built early on,” Mailata said. “We left that baggage of ‘22 because we didn’t want to bring that to the new season.”

 

Mailata’s performance in the game was lauded, and former Detroit Lions quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said the Australian’s influence would be felt beyond the field of play.

 

“Think about all the kids back in Australia,” he said. “Now, you might not be gifted with the god-given ability to be 6ft 9in, 350lbs and move like that, but for a guy to come from [Australia], come over here and have the career he has, it does give hope to a young kid that maybe says ‘I want to be the next Jordan Mailata’.”

 

There were delirious celebrations at full-time in New Orleans, scenes few would have imagined possible when, in 2017, Mailata chose to turn his back on rugby league, having been told he lacked the requisite fitness and conditioning to make it at the NRL’s South Sydney Rabbitohs. He rejected a contract worth $5,000 with the North Sydney Bears, Souths’ reserve grade team at the time, and turned to his focus to American football.

 

The former labourer with the voice of an angel was invited to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and, despite his minimal knowledge of the game initially, he showed enough potential there and in rugby league highlight reels to convince the Eagles to select him with the 233rd pick in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

 

After a slow start, he eventually blossomed and Mailata has not looked back since. In 2021, he signed a four-year, US$64m contract, before helping his team to the Super Bowl the same year, and in 2024 he put pen to paper on a US$66m extension to keep him with the Eagles until 2028 and make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackles.

 

Three other Australians have appeared in a Super Bowl – Ben Graham for Arizona in 2009, San Francisco’s Mitch Wishnowsky a year later and Arryn Siposs, Mailata’s teammate in the 2022 decider.

 

Mailata is not the first Australian to own a Super Bowl ring – Queenslander Jesse Williams picked up one with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 but, having been sidelined all that season through injury, he did not take to the field in his side’s 43-8 hammering of the Denver Broncos.