Doug Pederson on Jalen Hurts: The plan was to use him when we could

Heading into Monday night’s game, there has been a lot of talk about the Eagles expanding the role of rookie quarterback Jalen Huts in hopes of launching their offense.

It turned out to be nothing more than talking, however. Hurts played three shots, one of which was a penalty, and threw an assist in the 23-17 loss to the Seahawks. After the game, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was asked if there was a change in plans that allowed Hurts to remain in a limited role.

“Not necessarily,” says Pederson. “The plan was to use it when we could. The way the game started, we just didn’t have a lot of chances, too many threes and outs. I don’t think we had a first game before the second quarter. We just didn’t – we didn’t manage to run. It just wasn’t in the cards, I guess, so to speak, at the start of the football game. But no more, no less than what we would use every week.

Pederson was then asked if using Hurts could have helped the team find an attacking rhythm. Pederson said it wouldn’t because the offense had “breakdowns in all areas, and it doesn’t matter who’s there.”

That reality is why the Eagles are 3-7-1 and face weekly questions about fixing an offensive unit that seems beyond repair this season.