Jalen Hurts Emerges as Surprise MVP Contender for 2026 Season

After a lengthy drought, a Philadelphia Eagles player could soon be in contention for the NFL MVP award. The last Eagle to receive this honor was Norm Van Brocklin, who won it back in 1960.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts has recently been identified as a potential dark horse candidate for the MVP title in 2026 by Dan Parr of NFL.com. Parr believes that the revamped offensive strategy under new coordinator Sean Mannion will offer Hurts an excellent opportunity to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season.

According to Parr, "Hurts is getting something of a fresh start in 2026," as Mannion takes over from Kevin Patullo, who had a challenging debut season as offensive play-caller. The Eagles have also revamped their receiving lineup, bringing in Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and first-round draft pick Makai Lemon this offseason. Additionally, second-round pick Eli Stowers adds a dynamic presence at tight end, while the offensive line remains one of the strongest in the league.

Hurts has previously been in the MVP conversation, finishing as a runner-up in 2022, just behind Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite not placing in the top 10 in the subsequent seasons, he possesses the ability to deliver numbers worthy of MVP consideration, significantly influencing his team's success.

If the Eagles’ offense thrives under Mannion’s guidance and the team continues its winning trajectory since Hurts became the starter, he could very well find himself back in the MVP discussion.