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It seems like Jalen Hurts’ season-long slump has grown so concerning that it’s now sparking broadcast-booth speculation about coaxing a franchise legend out of retirement. After taking a quick glance at former Eagles center Jason Kelce on the sideline, announcer Troy Aikman couldn’t help but make a rather bold assumption in Week 14’s Monday Night Football matchup between the Chargers and Philadelphia.

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Aikman believes that the Eagles might have asked Jason Kelce to unretire.

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“I would be surprised if they haven’t already… I think I’d be knocking on his door every week to try to get him to come back. He can still do it,” he said.

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Philadelphia’s offensive line has indeed been battered all year. Center Cam Jurgens is a talented player, but the injuries have piled up. He dealt with a knee issue in Week 7 that cost him two games, returned in Week 11, and then exited again with a concussion. All this after gutting through nerve pain in his back during last year’s playoff run before undergoing surgery.

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But none of that was the root of the problem Monday night. We saw it clearly. Hurts was sacked only once, compared to Justin Herbert, who went down seven times, and Hurts still walked away with the shakier performance. Protection wasn’t the issue. It hasn’t been all year.

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Hurts hasn’t consistently connected with his receivers all year, and the same themes showed up again against the Chargers: late throws, missed windows, and drives stalling for reasons unrelated to pressure. He’s been sacked 27 times; plenty of quarterbacks have weathered worse this season. The miscues are what keep resurfacing, and they were right there again in Week 14’s loss.

Jalen Hurts had a nightmare against the Chargers

Jalen Hurts had a miserable night against the Chargers, the kind where bad reads, slow decisions, and steady pressure all blended into one of the roughest outings of his career. And this nightmare somehow landed him in a very strange corner of NFL history.

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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no player since at least 1978 has pulled off what Hurts managed in Week 14: two turnovers on the same play.

Midway through the second quarter, Hurts fired a pass that Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand picked off. Eagles running back Will Shipley hustled over and punched the ball loose from Hand, giving Philadelphia a chance to steal back a mistake.

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Hurts fell on the fumble and briefly gave the Eagles new life, until Chargers nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell knocked the ball right out of Hurts’ hands. Linebacker Troy Dye recovered. One play, two turnovers, both charged to the quarterback. One of the most bizarre sequences you’ll see.

Hurts finished the night 21-of-40 for 240 yards with no touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 31.2 passer rating, along with a lost fumble that gave him five turnovers overall. It capped a third straight loss for Philadelphia in a season that’s starting to feel heavier by the week. They’ll still probably be back into the postseason given the state of the division, but this level of play won’t carry them far when January comes around.

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Aryan Mamtani

1,067 Articles

Aryan Mamtani is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports with a strong analytical background and a deep passion for football. A former player and lifelong sports fan, Aryan brings a mix of football knowledge and emotional insight to his coverage. He specializes in breaking down complex plays, team strategies, and league dynamics in ways that resonate with both die-hard fans and casual readers. His work includes detailed analysis of games such as Sunday Night Football and storytelling that highlights the personal journeys behind the players. Aryan has experience in research and data analysis, which he skillfully incorporates into his writing. This approach allows him to deliver insightful, data-driven sports content that connects with diverse audiences through clear and engaging storytelling.

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Saad Rashid

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