ESPN Insider Talks Jalen Hurts MVP Case, Other Eagles Competing for NFL Awards

As we are exactly halfway through the NFL’s regular season, the candidates for the end-of-season awards are becoming clear. Multiple Eagles have cemented themselves as contenders for these awards. This includes Jalen Hurts, who has built a strong case for the league MVP.

ESPN Insider Talks Jalen Hurts’ MVP Case, Other Eagles Competing for NFL Awards

Jalen Hurts: MVP?

ESPN insider Bill Barnwell recently handed out his midseason NFL awards, and while Hurts didn’t crack the top three, he is strongly in contention for the award. Barnwell had this to say about Hurts’s candidacy:

“Jalen Hurts has answered the bell when the Eagles have needed him, helping lead a comeback victory over the Rams before throwing for 323 yards and three touchdown passes in a win over the Vikings a few weeks later. Hurts’ 15-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best in the NFL, and if you add rushing touchdowns and fumbles to the mix, he has scored 20 touchdowns and turned the ball over just two times this season.

Outside of the tush push, though, Hurts hasn’t been a consistent part of the QB run game, with his rushing workload mostly limited to scrambles this season. That reduces some of the value he generated in past years. And while Hurts doesn’t turn the ball over, the Super Bowl winner is taking sacks on a career-high 10.4% of his dropbacks. Those sacks make a huge difference; the Eagles are more than twice as likely to score touchdowns on drives without a Hurts sack than when he takes at least one. I still think the 27-year-old is somehow underrated, but the mounting sack rate takes him out of MVP consideration for me.”

Highs and Lows

As mentioned, Hurts has had some very high moments, but also some lows that are currently holding him back. He has been able to carry the offense when needed, even without a consistent run game. The lows, like the sacks taken, have had a negative impact on the offense. When the Eagles’ offense has sputtered, it usually has been, at least in part, because of the negative plays. Hurts also doesn’t have the gaudy passing stats that other players like Matthew Stafford have. Considering these things, Hurts’ MVP case is not as strong as some other players’ right now.

On the flip side, though, Hurts does have impressive numbers. A 20-2 total touchdown to turnover ratio is jaw-dropping. If he is able to keep up this efficiency while leading the Eagles to the NFC’s number one seed, he’ll have as strong a case as anyone in football.

Lane Johnson is Finally Getting the Credit he Deserves

Lane Johnson has been one of, if not the best, offensive linemen in football for years now. With the new addition of the Protector of the Year award, Johnson has the chance to take home some hardware. Barnwell believes Johnson is firmly in the mix for the award, as he has him in the top three contenders:

“On a snap-by-snap basis, Johnson’s the best offensive lineman in football. He’s a ferocious run blocker who still manages to maintain enough of his athleticism to get on the move at age 35, and pass rushers just seem to stick to him without any hope of getting away. Watch many of Jalen Hurts’ big plays as a passer this season and you’ll see a quarterback who has plenty of time to scan the field and wait for his receivers to get downfield, a testament to the work of Johnson and Jordan Mailata.

The only issue for Johnson, as usual, is availability. He was limited to 15% of the snaps in the Week 3 win over the Rams with a stinger, then played 75% of the snaps in the following week’s victory over the Bucs, missing the fourth quarter with a shoulder issue. He has played 84% of the offensive snaps this season, which means he has missed a little over a game’s worth of action. That’s right about the borderline where I would hesitate to nominate a player for an award given how much time he has missed, but Johnson has been so good in the snaps he has played that I’m getting him in here.”

The biggest knock on Johnson, as mentioned, is the time he has missed. If he is able to stay healthy the rest of the season, though, he will have as good a shot as anybody.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jihaad Campbell?

Although not mentioned as a top candidate, Jihaad Campbell is firmly in contention. When talking about the top three contenders, Barnwell had this to say:

“There’s a clear two-person tier at the top for me and a lot of players who could be third. I thought about Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who had his role cut before the bye with Vic Fangio playing him as an edge defender more often…”

Campbell’s case has taken a hit in the last few weeks. Lack of depth and injuries at the defensive end position have forced him to play out of position, reducing his production. The return of Nakobe Dean from injury has hurt his chances as well. Campbell has been playing reduced snaps ever since Dean’s return. Never say never, especially in a weaker DROY race than usual, but Campbell looks to have the weakest case of the Eagles’ three contenders.

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