Nearly two years ago, quarterback Jalen Hurts led his team back to the locker room in silence. The Philadelphia Eagles had given up 17 points in the fourth quarter, losing the Super Bowl to Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs by three points. And it was unclear, as always, when they would get the opportunity again.

Two years later, the Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls, and they’re looking to make that three on Sunday. And the Eagles? They’re back, too and ready to avenge the loss.

“It’s had a great driving force,” Hurts told reporters. “It lit a flame, lit a fire in me, and to have this opportunity again is exactly what you work for.”

Both the Eagles and Hurts have changed dramatically in the meantime. In 2023, Hurts was coming off an MVP contender season, tossing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and posting a 68.3 QBR. The Eagles’ gameplan in the Super Bowl revolved heavily around him, yielding 300 yards passing in a game where Hurts was also the leading rusher for the Eagles, with 70 yards.

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This year has been different. Philadelphia started the year off at 2-2, as Hurts threw four interceptions and dropped five fumbles (three of which were lost). He attempted at least 30 passes in each game.

Then, the Eagles coaching adapted. Star running back Saquon Barkley began getting the ball more and more, Hurts began to attempt around nine fewer passes per game, and the Eagles started winning ten in a row, in fact.

The Hurts that returns to the Super Bowl in 2025 is more pragmatic and mature than his younger self, citing the struggles he and the team have gone through to return to the big game. And he’s only gotten more motivated to perform in his role whatever it may be to help the Eagles win the rematch.

“You’ve got to be able to finish,” Hurts said, “and that’s going to take great focus, a great week of prep this week, putting it all together.”

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Article by Katherine Manz

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