During spring and summer, it felt like the Philadelphia Eagles‘ season would never arrive. Finally, there were games to play, and now the season feels like it’s flying by. Five games have come and gone, and there’s already so much to talk about. They’ve had to juggle injuries. Questions about coaching abound, and there’s no shortage of back-and-forth about Jalen Hurts. What else is new?
Every throw is dissected. Every decision to elect against scrambling is second-guessed. Now, there’s another conversation. Jalen Hurts’ completion percentage is now in the discussion.
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For an offense seeking consistency, everything lands under the microscope. Still, offensive coordinator Sean Mannion isn’t ready to view the numbers as a lasting problem. Despite Hurts completing a smaller percentage of his passes than his career average, Mannion believes the quarterback’s natural accuracy will eventually show up in the results.
As the Eagles turn the page from London and focus on the Carolina Panthers, a business-as-usual atmosphere surrounds the Jefferson Health Complex. Routines are familiar. Coordinators were made available to the media on Tuesday. As Sean Mannion spoke, NBC Sports’ Reuben Frank asked about Hurts’ decline in completion percentage. Hurts has connected on 64.0% of his career attempts. That number has dropped to 57.8% this season. The Eagles need more efficient passing, but their offensive coordinator seemed confident in his explanation and expectations.
“I don’t think it’s any one thing. I think across the board offensively, we want to keep pushing to be better, and that’s in all phases. That’s run game, pass game. That’s us putting together the best plan possible each week. I think he is a naturally very accurate guy, so I’m confident that those numbers will continue to improve. His comfort level grows each and every week. Getting these live game reps week after week after week, he’s going to grow more and more comfortable. I think the good thing is he’s been making good decisions with the ball. Obviously, we had an uptick in our pass attempts last game and I thought he made good decisions with where the ball was supposed to go. I’m confident, because he is a naturally accurate passer, that those numbers will rise.”
Injuries have forced personnel adjustments around Hurts, but over five games, Philadelphia has struggled to sustain drives. That makes each missed connection more consequential as the offense tries to find a rhythm. Mannion, however, sees reasons to believe the numbers can improve without treating Hurts’ accuracy as a fundamental flaw.
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By emphasizing the value of continued game experience, Mannion makes a strong case that Hurts’ comfort level will grow with each passing week. The assessment reflects confidence, but it also acknowledges that Philadelphia’s offensive operation must improve rather than placing the burden entirely on Hurts.
Mannion’s optimism comes with an important qualification: He believes Hurts has generally made good decisions with the football, even as the completion percentage has dipped. He noted that Philadelphia increased its passing volume in the game under discussion and felt Hurts did a good job directing the ball where it was supposed to go.
That distinction matters because accuracy and decision-making are related but separate parts of quarterback play. A quarterback can read the play correctly without completing the pass, and a strong completion percentage doesn’t automatically mean the offense is operating efficiently. The Eagles need both sound decisions and more consistent execution to turn possessions into points.
The coaching staff also has to evaluate how its play designs, protection, and available receivers contribute to the final numbers. Mannion’s comments suggest he sees the completion percentage as a problem the entire offense can help solve, not an isolated issue that requires a dramatic change in Hurts’ approach.
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Ultimately, Mannion is betting that improved comfort and better offensive execution will produce more accurate results. The Eagles need that confidence to translate into sustained drives and points, because the numbers will matter far less than what Philadelphia produces on the field.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles OC Sean Mannion backs Jalen Hurts amid decline in completion rate
