Jalen Hurts is officially out for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, and honestly, this could be way worse than just one game. The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed an ultrasound on Hurts’ calf revealed a superficial blood clot had moved after their flight back from London following the Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s a gut punch for a team already sitting at 2-3 as two-time defending NFC East champions. The Eagles’ statement said they’re figuring out the “appropriate course of treatment” and that Hurts’ “health and safety are our highest priority,” which really just means we might not see their Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Most teams would probably look at a situation like this, with their star QB potentially sidelined long-term, and think about trading away pieces to reload for next year. But here’s the kicker: the Eagles absolutely cannot do that. They have to stay the course, fight for 2026, and keep pushing for that NFC East title. Why? Because general manager Howie Roseman went all-in on this roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and they’ve invested too much cold, hard cash to just bail out now.
Philadelphia’s Massive Defensive Bet Can’t Be Ignored
Seriously, the money they’ve sunk into this team is staggering. After Hurts’ own five-year, $255 million deal, the next three highest-paid players are all on the defensive line, and those deals are recent. Jalen Carter, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, just signed a four-year, $152 million extension with $106.85 million guaranteed. Then there’s former first-round pick defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who got a three-year, $78 million contract with $64.4 million guaranteed. And don’t forget Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who they traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to the Vikings for, plus a 2026 seventh-round pick. Greenard then signed a four-year, $98 million extension with $50 million guaranteed. When you add that up, we’re talking about roughly $583 million committed to just four players. You don’t just throw that kind of money around and then wave the white flag after five games.
This defense, even with the offensive struggles, is absolutely stacked. We’re talking about former first-round pick edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr., All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun, former first-round pick linebacker Jihaad Campbell, All-Pro cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and Super Bowl champion cornerback Riq Woolen. That’s a unit talented enough to keep them in almost any game. Yeah, former NFL Offensive Player of the Year running back Saquon Barkley is battling a hamstring injury, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith has hamstring and toe issues, but when those guys are on the field, they’re high-level playmakers. It’s felt like the sky’s been falling after consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Rams and the Jaguars where they blew leads, but you can’t tell this roster to give up.
What’s Next: Fight for 2026 and the QB Market
So, what’s the move now that Hurts is out? The Eagles have to stay focused on contending in 2026, plain and simple. Their priority is still that NFC East title. They are in a tough spot, no doubt. They need to fight to compete, and that means exploring the quarterback trade market. Who they could target isn’t clear right now, but they absolutely have to look. This roster, with all its top-end talent and massive investments, is built to win now. Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers is huge. This isn’t just one game, it’s about setting the tone for how they’re going to respond to their biggest challenge yet.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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