When the 2022 season begins, Lynne Johnson will be the right start for the Philadelphia Eagles for an entire decade. He made a whole series of midfielders to protect.
Galen Hurts, the team’s current QB, has highlighted the potential with 19 starts since snatching the job from Carson Wentz in 2020, but he’s still developing as a lane. In Johnson’s view, Hurts approaches that growth in an admirable way.
Johnson told MJ Acosta-Ruiz NFL Total Access. “The way he handles the daily activity, how he trains, what he does in the movie room. He’s a huge motivator. He’s a great leader. (He) is great behind the scenes, even during the summer with a lot of guys. Lots of receivers. Performing 7 on 7. Just doing exemplary work to prepare. I know he’s excited about the new players we’ve drafted and acquired over the holiday season, and really getting ready to go to work.”
The new acquisitions mentioned by Johnson – led on the offensive side by wide receiver AJ Brown, with corner back James Bradbury making new faces in defense – have caused an uproar as the season approaches. Last week, runner Miles Sanders went so far as to say he feels like he’s on the All-Star Team.
When asked about the growing uproar, Johnson was eager to share a more accurate assessment, but acknowledged Philadelphia’s pumping in talent.
“When it comes down to that, you have to approach every day with an aggressive mindset,” Johnson said. “You have to stay in the moment and not look too far ahead because when you do that teams can beat you easily. You can be easily defeated. So, the name of the game is focus. Yes, I feel like we have a great roster, but at the end of the day, it still has to be We have to play.”
All-star team or not, Philly put the pieces in place to help Hurts achieve success in the asymmetric 2021 campaign.
The signal caller for the third year threw 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year, adding another 784 yards and 10 touchdowns. His mobility will continue to be a thorn in the side of opposing defenses, but Brown’s trio, DeVonta Smith and a tight end, Dallas Guedert, are among the league’s best.
As for how Johnson fits into the equation, the streak factor didn’t allow for a single sack last season, according to the PFF. If Johnson continues to maintain his youthful cleanliness, Jalen Hurts has everything at his disposal to turn his behind-the-scenes leadership into lofty results.
