What Makes A Leader? Jalen Hurts Providing Latest Example

Leadership in the NFL is born, not through success, but through failings. NFL history has taught us this much.

In 1978 the Washington Redskins started 6-0 and finished 8-8 in a historic collapse to end the year. The entire franchise uses that year, though as a way to show how the leadership of the team grew following that year.

In 2006, after winning his first Super Bowl title, Ben Roethlisberger was credited with becoming a more vocal leader with the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing the postseason.

The Philadelphia Eagles and franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts might just be the next example. Following a historic collapse of their own to end the 2023 season, sources in the organization stated they wanted Hurts to be a more vocal leader of the team moving forward.

What Makes A Leader? Jalen Hurts Providing Latest Example

The retirements of Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce only enhanced this view.

While many media members took that as a negative regarding Hurts, the reality is that this is how standard NFL locker rooms work. When you have non-quarterback leaders on the roster, the quarterback naturally takes a step back in that department. When those players leave, the quarterback must step up in that regard.

That's exactly what appears to be happening in Philly.

“Just this offseason, [Hurts has] really done a good job of bonding with his teammates,” Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said on the Rich Eisen podcast. “I feel like the connection has definitely grown. A really big offseason. The work ethic has never been an issue. Tremendous worker. But, just becoming a more vocal leader and, I think, whenever he speaks, guys listen up. Him reaching out to guys and creating these bonds in the offseason.”

Analysts unaware of how leadership works, or fans looking for the slightest bit of a misstep could see this as a player who never was a leader to begin with.

The reality, though, is that this is exactly what should happen following the retirement of franchise legends. Hurts has taken his rightful place as the true face of the franchise.