Yahoo Sports NFL on Jalen Hurts
From the article
One big question for 2026: Can Mannion get Hurts to throw to the middle of the field? Hurts's aversion to middle-of-the-field throws is well documented, but that isn't the result of a physical (or mental) inability to throw to that area. We have video evidence that he can do it. But most of those throws come against man coverage, where Hurts can read the leverage his receiver has on a defender and lead his guy to a spot. The no-throws come against zone coverage, where Hurts is forced to make anticipatory throws before his receiver arrives in a certain window.
STACKED’s take
Hurts must improve middle-of-field throws under Mannion; scheme should force man coverage.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts faces a key challenge in 2026 under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion: improving his middle-of-the-field passing. While Hurts's aversion to middle-of-the-field throws is well documented, video evidence shows he is physically and mentally capable of making these throws. His reluctance stems from zone coverage situations where he must make anticipatory throws before receivers arrive in windows, as opposed to man coverage where he can read leverage. Mannion's scheme should focus on forcing opposing defenses into man coverage and scheming plays that pry open zone windows over the middle, as the Eagles offense does not work without these throws.
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