Darius Slay did not hold back as he exited the Philadelphia Eagles. In a surprising statement, the veteran cornerback dismissed Jalen Hurts from the elite quarterback conversation, placing him below players like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.
Slay’s remarks come after the Eagles released him earlier this week, ending his tenure with the team. Instead of praising his former teammate, he took an unexpected shot at Hurts, questioning whether the quarterback belongs among the NFL’s best.
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Hurts’ impressive season doesn’t convince Slay
Hurts is coming off one of his best years as a professional, leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl 59 victory. The star quarterback posted a 12-3 record as a starter, completed a career-high 68.7% of his passes, and threw for 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His success was further bolstered by Saquon Barkley, who had a historic 2,000-yard rushing season.
Despite these accomplishments, Slay remained unimpressed. “The elite go to the top four guys. That’s how I do elites,” he stated. “Elites for me in the quarterback world are Joe Burrow, Mahomes, Lamar, and Josh Allen. Those are the elites. They have their own place.”
Slay’s comments contrast sharply with his previous praise for Hurts. In a 2023 interview with The Players’ Tribune, he spoke highly of the quarterback’s leadership and impact on the team. “Jalen, he’s been a leader since day one. Me and Jalen been cool, man,” Slay said at the time. “Ever since he stepped his foot in the building, I’ve been a big brother to him.”
His recent remarks raise questions about whether his perception of Hurts changed after his release or if there was underlying tension behind the scenes. Whatever the case, Hurts‘ resume speaks for itself, and many would argue that his Super Bowl-winning performance solidifies his place among the league’s elite.
