Gardner Minshew has a history of drumming up quarterback controversy with impressive performances off the bench, and the former Jaguars starter was nearly flawless for the Eagles on Sunday in place of an injured Jalen Hurts. But coach Nick Sirianni doesn’t foresee any changes at the position after Minshew’s big Philly debut. Asked after the Eagles’ 33-18 rout of the Jets whether Hurts will remain the No. 1 QB moving forward, Sirianni was clear: “Yeah, of course.”
“He just wasn’t healthy enough to play,” Sirianni said of Hurts, before defending the second-year starter as “one of the best” in the NFL at using his legs to extend plays.
Others weren’t nearly as decisive when asked about the Eagles’ QB1 job after Sunday’s win. Running back Miles Sanders suggested it was harder to run without Hurts on the field but said he “loves” Minshew, who is “capable of doing a lot of things.” Tight end Dallas Goedert, meanwhile, was especially deferential, saying he expects Hurts will return but that “everybody rides with whoever the quarterback is going to be.”
Hurts, who was limited in practice all week with a sprained ankle, has found mixed results in his first full season as the Eagles’ starter. The former second-round pick has been one of the NFL’s top QBs on the ground, ranking behind only the Ravens‘ Lamar Jackson in terms of total rushing yardage (695), but he was inconsistent through the air during the team’s 5-7 start, completing 60% of his passes and totaling 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Minshew, who joined the Eagles via trade in August, finished Sunday’s win 20 of 25 for 242 yards, two touchdowns and zero picks.
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