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The Philadelphia Eagles’ locker room isn’t staying silent after veteran cornerback Darius Slay sparked controversy by omitting quarterback Jalen Hurts from his list of the NFL’s elite signal-callers. Slay, a former Eagles standout, recently named Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow as the league’s “Big 4” quarterbacks—a glaring snub to Hurts, who delivered a Super Bowl MVP performance with 300+ total yards and three touchdowns to dethrone the Chiefs just months ago.
Now, one of Hurts’ closest allies on the team has clapped back, defending the Eagles’ franchise cornerstone with a fiery rebuttal.
DeVonta Smith’s blunt defense of Hurts’ elite status
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, Jalen Hurts’ go-to target and a pivotal piece of Philadelphia’s championship run, didn’t mince words when addressing Slay’s comments on the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast.
“Slay said the ‘Big 4,’ but for me, it’s the ‘Big 5’—and Jalen’s in that five,” Smith declared. “The four that he named, and then I’m putting Jalen in there. To me, that’s the ‘Big 5.’ I don’t think it’s a ‘Big 4,’ it’s a ‘Big 5,’ honestly.”
Smith’s staunch support underscores a growing frustration within the Eagles’ camp over Hurts’ underrated reputation. Despite leading Philadelphia to a title, earning Pro Bowl nods, and flirting with MVP contention, Hurts often finds himself excluded from “elite” debates—a narrative Smith is determined to flip.
Why Jalen Hurts’ resume demands respect
Super Bowl MVP: Hurts outdueled Mahomes in the biggest game of his career, accounting for 79% of the Eagles’ offense.
Clutch Gene: His 18 game-winning drives since 2022 trail only Mahomes and Burrow.
Dual-Threat Dominance: Hurts joined Cam Newton as the only QBs to rush for 10+ TDs in consecutive seasons.
Slay’s critique—likely aimed at stirring debate—ignores Jalen Hurts’ proven ability to thrive under pressure. Smith’s rebuttal isn’t just loyalty; it’s a fact-check. “He helped lead us to the Super Bowl, beat Mahomes, and won MVP,” Smith emphasized. “How many active QBs can say that?”
The bigger picture: Respect vs. reality
While Slay’s podcast take reflects his personal opinion, it highlights a broader issue: Hurts’ impact is often overshadowed by flashier names. Yet, his 2023 season—4,461 total yards, 38 TDs, and a 103.4 passer rating—speaks louder than rankings. For Smith and the Eagles, the message is clear: doubting Hurts means underestimating the heart of a champion.
As Philadelphia gears up to defend its title, this locker-room unity could be their secret weapon. And for Jalen Hurts? Every snub only fuels the fire to silence critics—again.
