The Evolution of Jalen Hurts: A Deep Dive into His Growth as a Quarterback
Jalen Hurts has undergone a remarkable transformation since entering the NFL. This is the fourth and final part of a series that breaks down how he has improved his game, focusing on specific areas where he once struggled and how he has grown past them. Each section highlights a different mistake he used to make and shows how he has addressed it over time. The entire series will be featured in an episode of my podcast, which you can explore further.
Previously:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4 – How the Out Route Became Jalen Hurts’ Best Throw
As I continue to follow the news and see analysts underestimating Jalen Hurts, I’m even more grateful for this series! I hope I’ve covered the key areas of his improvement effectively. In my opinion, Hurts is one of the best throwers of an out route in the NFL right now. While I don’t study every quarterback as closely as I do with Hurts, I haven’t seen many players who currently throw it better than he does.
Looking back at the 2020-21 film, it’s clear that out routes were a challenge for Hurts. His throws to the sideline were often late and lacked velocity. For example, in a clip against the Dallas Cowboys, Hurts threw late to the outside on a timing route. DeVonta Smith lost his footing, but the bigger issue was how easily Trevon Diggs intercepted the ball for a pick-six. Hurts stared down the route, hesitated, and delivered a ball that was inside and late. Such throws are extremely dangerous in the NFL, as they can turn into instant interceptions.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Another example against the Saints showed even worse execution—late trigger, poor anticipation, inside placement, and a lack of power. It nearly resulted in another interception and was a clear sign of a quarterback who didn’t trust his reads or process quickly enough.
Hurts’ struggles with out routes made sense given his early career challenges. He didn’t have the arm strength of quarterbacks like Josh Allen, so being late on these throws left him vulnerable. If he wasn’t decisive and early, the defense had a chance to make a play. And he was frequently late on these types of throws.
However, the improvements Hurts has made in this area are undeniable. Let’s look at some recent footage to see the transformation:
The first clip showcases all of his progress in one moment. The timing is perfect, with the ball released before the receiver turned. Hurts is now throwing with anticipation, showing a significant shift in his approach. The second clip against the Cowboys is even more impressive. On fourth-and-three, Hurts threads an out route to the sideline with perfect placement to Dallas Goedert. These high-leverage throws in critical moments show a quarterback who now trusts his arm and ability to make those plays.
Many of the clips also highlight Hurts in the red zone, where quick decisions and precise mechanics are essential. He has enough arm strength to make the throw, and his confidence is evident.
One of the most memorable examples came during the Super Bowl against Kansas City. Hurts made a deep out route throw to Dallas Goedert on a smash concept, with a cornerback closing in and a safety looming. It was a third-down situation with a narrow window, and Hurts showed no hesitation, making a throw that was nothing short of extraordinary.
Another great out-route throw in the same game further solidified the transformation. It was the kind of play that wasn’t common from Hurts in 2020 or 2021. He genuinely looks like a different quarterback now.
Overall Progress and Future Outlook
I believe most serious NFL analysts now acknowledge that Jalen Hurts is one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the league. He isn’t perfect, but he’s an extremely good player. While I dislike rankings, I personally place Hurts just below the top four and near the top of the second tier of quarterbacks. I revisited the 2023 Super Bowl for this article, and the idea that someone like Trevor Lawrence could be ranked above Hurts is absurd. If anyone can find a game where Lawrence played better than Hurts did in that Super Bowl, I’d love to see it!
The four areas covered in this series—deep ball accuracy, touch, out-of-structure creativity, and precision on out routes—showcase Hurts’ evolution as a passer. Early in his career, each of these areas had obvious limitations. Critics weren’t wrong about his struggles, but the film wasn’t very good then. He lacked velocity and anticipation on outs, wasn’t consistent deep, was often late in processing, and didn’t yet have the control to layer throws with touch.
But year by year, he has cleaned up each of his weaknesses. What were once question marks have become strengths. All of these areas combine to create a significantly improved quarterback. His anticipation has led to better out-route precision. His improved pocket poise has helped his deep accuracy. His mechanical discipline ties everything together. This is the result of a lot of hard work in the off-season. It’s not just one area where he’s gotten better—he’s improved dramatically as a quarterback.
It’s a shame that so many in the media refuse to cover these improvements. They fail to understand that it doesn’t mean they were wrong when they criticized him a few years ago. It’s sad because this is a player we should be celebrating rather than picking apart.
Hopefully, this series has shown just how far Jalen Hurts has come as a passer. The best thing about him? He never stops growing. He takes to coaching, puts in the work, and continues to improve every year. If the last few seasons are any indication, he’s only getting better. Who knows, maybe in a couple of years, I’ll be back writing a new version of this series, charting the next step in his evolution as a quarterback.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here.
