American Football
Jalen Hurts has made history by becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history after agreeing to a five-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $255 million. The deal was announced on April 18, 2023, and includes $107 million in guaranteed money.
Hurts, who was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as one of the league's top quarterbacks. In his first season as a starter, he led the Eagles to the playoffs and was named to the Pro Bowl. Jalen continued to impress in 2021 and was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 4,844 yards and 34 touchdowns.
The Eagles have been working to secure their young core of talent, with Hurts being the latest to receive a long-term deal. The team has already signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor, running back Miles Sanders, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson to similar contracts.
Hurts expressed his gratitude to the Eagles organization and his excitement to continue building on their success, saying, "I'm thankful for the opportunity to be an Eagle for the next five years. I'm excited to help the team reach its ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl."
The extension is a reflection of Philadelphia's belief in Jalen as a franchise quarterback and a leader both on and off the field. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie praised Hurts, stating, "He's a special player and a special person, and we're thrilled to have him as part of our organization for the next five years."
The deal is one of the latest examples of big-money contracts being awarded to NFL quarterbacks. In 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year, $503 million extension, while the San Francisco 49ers signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million deal.
With Jalen at the helm, the Eagles are now even more committed to building a championship-caliber team. They are poised to make a run at the Super Bowl in the coming years, and Hurts' extension is a crucial step in that direction.
