10 Grit-Filled Shots of Jalen Hurts in the Pocket
Ten real moments when Jalen Hurts proved his mettle, standing fearless in the pocket and absorbing hits to keep the Eagles alive.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Jalen Hurts has never been just about stats or flash. His defining moments often come from the silent toughness of standing firm amid chaos — absorbing hits, delaying throws, and trusting his team will be there when he rises. These snapshots capture not just a quarterback, but a leader whose grit under pressure continues to define Philadelphia football.
1. 2022 NFC Championship Game vs. 49ers
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Midway through the second quarter, Hurts stood tall in the pocket as the 49ers’ fierce pass rush closed in, including Nick Bosa barreling off the edge. He absorbed contact after delivering a tight-window throw to DeVonta Smith on a critical fourth down. The play set the tone: Hurts wouldn’t blink, not with a Super Bowl on the line.
2. 2021 Week 10 vs. Denver Broncos (Nov 14, 2021)
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Under a collapsing pocket in the second quarter, Hurts evaded pressure, reset his feet, and fired a strike to Quez Watkins just before being leveled. He popped up before the camera could even find him on the turf. It was a quiet, bruising display of leadership on the road.
3. 2023 Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills (Nov 26, 2023)
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In a rainy shootout, Hurts was nailed by Ed Oliver while throwing a touchdown to Olamide Zaccheaus on a broken play. He grimaced, shook off the mud, and trotted down the field like it was just another rep in practice. The look in his eyes said more than any sideline speech could.
4. 2022 Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears (Dec 18, 2022)
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With sub-zero wind chill and defenders in his lap, Hurts stayed calm in the pocket and uncorked a deep ball to A.J. Brown down the right sideline. He was hit hard and slow to get up — he’d later be diagnosed with a shoulder sprain. But that throw, made while hurting, was all guts.
5. 2020 Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints (Dec 13, 2020)
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In his first NFL start, Hurts faced a Saints defense ranked No. 1 in the league. On a 3rd and 6, he took a helmet-to-chest hit while completing a pass to Dallas Goedert over the middle. He didn’t flinch — he earned his teammates’ respect with every bruise.
6. 2023 Super Bowl LVII vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Feb 12, 2023)
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Late in the third, Hurts was flushed from the pocket, re-centered under pressure, and ripped a throw to DeVonta Smith just before taking a helmet to the ribs. The moment was drenched in tension — down three, spotlight burning, stakes sky-high. He didn’t just endure the hit; he answered it.
7. 2021 Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sep 12, 2021)
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On the opening drive of the season, Hurts stood patient behind a shaky line before zipping a touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith while taking a shot to the legs. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient and unshaken. That throw declared: Year Two Hurts came prepared.
8. 2022 Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers (Nov 27, 2022)
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As Rashan Gary came unblocked off the edge, Hurts held onto the ball long enough to let his receiver break open and took a massive blindside hit as he released a dart over the middle. He didn’t just take the punishment — he welcomed it for the sake of the play. It was quarterbacking as an act of sacrifice.
9. 2021 Week 4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Oct 3, 2021)
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Facing a shootout against Mahomes, Hurts stood his ground with the Chiefs blitzing. On one play, he waited an extra second for DeVonta Smith to clear and got rocked as he delivered the ball perfectly in stride. His pain tolerance didn’t show in grimaces — it showed in completions.
10. 2023 Week 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (Dec 3, 2023)
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Late in the third quarter, Hurts was sandwiched by two pass rushers but got off a laser to A.J. Brown just as his knees buckled. He needed a moment on the turf before walking off slowly, but the throw was a first down that kept the drive alive. The play was a snapshot of Hurts’ season: battered but never broken.