Abdelrahman
Jalen Hurts Celebrates Super Bowl MVP Win in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — The day following a remarkable milestone in his football career, Jalen Hurts stood proudly on a podium, grinning—yes, grinning—with the Super Bowl MVP trophy presented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. As the cameras clicked, the moment called for his words. Yet, Hurts turned to Goodell and inquired about lifting the Lombardi Trophy, too.
"Absolutely. Both are yours," Goodell replied.
With that, Hurts raised both iconic trophies, one in each of his hardworking hands. This was not the moment of a quarterback seeking validation through accolades. Instead, it was the fulfillment for a 26-year-old from Channelview, Texas, who had always set high personal standards and realized that his potential was limitless.
“I never envisioned moments like these,” Hurts reflected moments after he placed the trophies down. “It’s more about the effort and resolve to be the best I could be. I came to understand that I could push beyond any limits if I embraced the right mindset, approach, and dedication. Ultimately, when you lift those trophies, it represents the journey more than the outcomes. We may be assessed by our results, but that’s for others to discuss. The journey shapes who we are. In a team sport, countless endeavors and lives are altered based on the energy and effort we invest. Bringing a championship back to Philadelphia is everything to me."
Hurts joined Nick Foles in achieving a feat only these two quarterbacks have accomplished in the Philadelphia Eagles’ history: defeating powerhouse teams to provide the city with a Super Bowl victory. Hurts once again outperformed Patrick Mahomes in the championship game—this time basking in joy under the downpour of confetti.
On Friday, Hurts will lead Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl parade, celebrating alongside a roster brimming with talent that showcased dominance in a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs—a victory that signals the emergence of a new powerhouse.
As a pivotal figure in a budding team core, Hurts is poised to help keep the Eagles competitive well into this decade. With a disciplined, Vic Fangio-led defense, Coach Nick Sirianni needs to sustain an offense that has successfully revamped traditional strategies. Owner Jeffrey Lurie hinted at parting ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore following the game, with Moore’s potential head-coaching opportunity with the New Orleans Saints looming large. If this unfolds, it would necessitate Sirianni to search for his fourth offensive coordinator in five years, placing Hurts under his sixth play-caller in six seasons.
“Regrettably, we’ll need to extend our best wishes as he joins the Saints,” Lurie expressed outside the Eagles locker room late Sunday night.
The Eagles face transitions, but these won’t be as severe as those encountered after Super Bowl LVII. Fangio, 66, indicated last month he has no interest in pursuing another head coaching position, which means Sirianni’s focus will only be on a minor realignment of his offensive coaching staff. He might swiftly promote Kevin Patullo, currently the passing game coordinator and associate head coach. Whoever takes over Moore’s role may do so with a largely unchanged depth chart, as only right guard Mekhi Becton’s contract is set to expire among the starters from Super Bowl LIX.
This stability increases the Eagles’ chances of a repeat in 2025, although General Manager Howie Roseman may face tough choices to retain the team’s latest defensive standout and ensure sufficient defensive depth. Zack Baun is among 12 players on the active roster whose contracts will soon conclude. While Baun might favor staying with the franchise where he transitioned from an unknown edge rusher to an All-Pro inside linebacker, his market value could surpass what the Eagles are willing to pay for that position. Josh Sweat, who racked up 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX, is also due for a new contract. Other edge rushers with contracts extending beyond this offseason include Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Bryce Huff. Brandon Graham, 36, has yet to declare whether he will retire. The veteran returned nearly two months early from recovery after a torn triceps injury to play what may have been his final game on Sunday.
The Eagles enter the offseason with $18.1 million in cap space, ranking 21st in the NFL per Over the Cap. Beyond negotiating with Baun, Roseman and his team would greatly benefit from additional financial flexibility for free agent signings, draft picks, and roster adjustments. Potential relief may arise from re-signing Sweat, completing his 27-year-old season. The entirety of his signing bonus in a renegotiated contract represents the fourth-largest cap hit for the Eagles in 2025 at $16.4 million, providing the organization an opportunity to generate more space by distributing Sweat’s bonus over several years in a new contract.
Three other veterans—Darius Slay ($11.8 million), Dallas Goedert ($11.8 million), and James Bradberry ($7.8 million)—make up the three largest cap hits among the Eagles’ top eight salaries for 2025. Slay, currently 34, is uncertain if he has played his final season with the Eagles. He has been plagued by various injuries over the past year but still managed an interception in the wild-card victory against the Green Bay Packers. With younger players like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Kelee Ringo in the pipeline, the Eagles could save on cap space by parting ways with Slay.
Goedert has struggled with injuries, missing 15 regular-season games over the past three years. Nonetheless, when fit, he remains one of Hurts’ primary targets. During four playoff appearances, Goedert managed 17 receptions for 215 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles could create some financial room through a one-year extension that eases future cap pressure, similar to Sweat’s restructuring last season. At age 30, Goedert may struggle to secure a second long-term extension, especially with Grant Calcaterra, the Eagles’ sixth-round draft pick in 2022, having had a breakout season.
Bradberry, now 32, poses a complex financial challenge. After signing a three-year, $38 million contract with $20 million guaranteed, which extends through the 2025 season, Bradberry has seen a performance dip and faced injury woes. The Eagles could experience cap constraints until after June 1 if they choose to release him.
Having signed Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson to contract extensions last offseason, the Eagles must also think ahead regarding their offensive line. Their first two draft picks from 2022, Jordan Davis and Cam Jurgens, are entering their final contract years. The Eagles may opt for Davis’ fifth-year option for 2026, costing around $11.4 million. Meanwhile, Jurgens, who received a Pro Bowl nod in his inaugural season as center following Jason Kelce’s retirement, has a cap hit slated at $5.7 million for 2025.
Top Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images
