Jalen Hurts ‘approaching that elite category,’ the O-line looked ‘atrocious,’ and what else they’re saying about the Eagles

The Eagles escaped Week 1 with a 24-22 win over the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Following the game, most of the chatter centers around Jalen Hurts’ performance, a lackluster showing from the offensive line, and concern for Landon Dickerson.

Here’s everything they’re saying about the Birds following the season opener …

Heading into the season, concerns surrounding Jalen Hurts, and yet another offensive coordinator change was apparent. With the hiring of Sean Mannion, the veteran quarterback has now had five different offensive coordinators in five years. But following Sunday’s victory, some of those concerns have been addressed.

The Super Bowl champion got it done through the air and on the ground, completing 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He also scrambled for 48 yards.

“How [Hurts] played today, he played elite,” said former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on The SZN with Nick & Evan. “Because what I saw from him, you’re going to miss throws. You’re going to, like, not be perfect. But I saw him deliver the ball downfield with authority. And then like a lot of his, all his touchdowns were on time and rhythm. He had great throws across the middle.”

“What he did today was fantastic. With Jalen Hurts, [if he] isn’t out there, you’re not winning that game. He willed them the win. Defense played great, made some great plays. But everyone in Philadelphia, I know they know this, but Jalen Hurts is a great quarterback and he’s approaching that elite category.”

And Foles wasn’t the only former Eagles player praising the quarterback for his performance.

“Are we impressed,” said former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy on The Speakeasy podcast. “All you heard all year was ‘Jalen Hurts, he’s fighting for a new deal, what’s he going to do without A.J. [Brown]?’ Well, my friend. He looked good to me. When we couldn’t move the ball, he found ways to get it done with his arm and his legs. That’s a true testament to a real champion, a real winner, and a real QB1.

“The thing with Jalen Hurts is, I love it because he controlled the whole game, right. There were some points where we couldn’t move the ball. And you know, defense, they make plays on the other side, but Jalen showed up and I just wanted to see what they were going to say. What are they going to say though? Because he can throw the ball, or he can run the ball. Whatever y’all like, we give. And he doesn’t throw any picks, so what are we talking about?”

The Commanders had a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion in the last minute before Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo sniffed out the shovel pass to give the Birds the win. Despite the victory, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky still needs to see a lot of growth from the team.

“They were fine, a lot of splash, not much substance, not much that is sustainable,” Orlovsky said on First Take. “There’s highs, which kind of happened at times last year, but still too many lows for me when it comes to the lack of consistency. I think the pass game was a little bit too horizontal, side-to-side to me playmaker, rather than down the field.

“There will have to be some pretty significant growth over the next month for this offense to play with the likes of San Francisco, what we saw from the Giants last night, the Buccaneers had a good offensive performance outside of turnovers. So, it was solid but nothing that I’m sitting here saying that this is a completely different unit and they’re going to score 30 points a game.”

With Sunday’s victory, Hurts now joins Johnny Unitas and Roger Staubach as the only quarterbacks in the last 76 years to win each of their first six season openers. But in the process, the quarterback was sacked three times as his protection struggled, leaving many worried about the offensive line.

“The Eagles do not win that game without Jalen Hurts,” said Emmanuel Acho on The Speakeasy podcast. “Jalen Hurts is the sole reason why the Philadelphia Eagles won this game. The Eagles offensive line, not just bad, atrocious. Landon Dickerson played an incredibly forgettable game.”

The former Eagles linebacker also double downed on social media.

“Landon Dickerson has been great for the Eagles in his career, but he has to get healthy or hang it up,” Acho wrote. “Jalen Hurts is running for his life on nearly every pass play because of him.”

Dickerson underwent knee surgery in August 2025 to repair a torn meniscus. The three-time Pro Bowler appeared slower on the field, leaving many concerned about his future.

“Landon Dickerson is playing like he’s not the Landon Dickerson we see get the contract extension and make pro bowls,” said Jon Marks on 97.5 The Fanatic. “He looked like a turnstile yesterday. And I’ve seen that term used a couple times and Andrew and I both said it today. It’s what we saw last year. He just doesn’t look like that’s him. And I don’t think that’s good enough right now.”

However, Foles isn’t too worried about the offensive line at the moment.

“The offensive line is going to be fine,” Foles said. “They have some amazing veterans there. When its a new scheme, it takes time to just acclimate, get comfortable with it. Let something marinate a little bit. You let something marinate overnight, it’s going to have a little more flavor. So, they’re going to be just fine.”