The drama around the Philadelphia Eagles has been building all season, but Jason Kelce finally stepped in and delivered the most honest explanation yet.
He did not deny that frustration exists. Instead, he explained, on SportsRadio 94WP, that this is what happens when the pressure to win takes over every corner of the locker room.
Kelce admitted these moments can strain even the closest friendships, and he proved it by revealing one of the most intense stories from his own career.
Kelce recalled an offseason that nearly fractured one of his closest friendships, all to prove that conflict isn’t some sign of collapse. It’s what happens when elite players with massive expectations push until something breaks. And for him, the conversation about Hurts fits the exact same pattern.
Jason Kelce addressed the recent report suggesting that some Eagles players are frustrated with Jalen Hurts
The former star center of the Eagles was on Sports Radio 94WP, where he said that the frustration builds naturally during a long season, especially when the quarterback receives more attention than anyone else. In Kelce’s words, “I think the quotes on Jalen, I think that there are frustrations within a team that build up continually and I think Jalen gets a lot of the highlighting of that again because he is a quarterback.”
And to explain why this kind of tension is normal, Kelce shared a personal story. Late in the Chip Kelly era, Lane Johnson publicly said the up-tempo practices were wearing players down. Kelce read the comment and fired back through the media, saying Johnson did not have enough experience with other NFL teams to know what tough practices looked like.
Kelce explained it this way. “I went out and said something in the media and said what does Lane know? Lane has only been with the Philadelphia Eagles. How does he know what it feels like to do other practices?” He also revealed, “Lane and I did not talk for an entire offseason. Lane is one of my best friends. I love that guy and this is part of being on a team. There are so many ups and downs.”
Kelce also mentioned heated moments with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, a coach he describes as almost a father figure. He said these clashes happen because the players care deeply and the stakes are enormous. “This thing brings out the emotions and sides of people because you all want to win so badly. The stakes are so high.”
From there, Kelce shifted back to Hurts. He emphasized that the only way a team survives these rough stretches is through accountability and honest communication.
“You try to be accountable for what you are doing wrong. You try to take accountability to alleviate the burden off other people. These are the ways you maintain relationships and maintain team functionality.”
Kelce finished by pointing out that similar reports have surfaced for years, yet the Eagles have continued winning. He said the results make one thing clear. “The body of work that Jalen has put out there, you cannot deny.” Kelce backed Jalen Hurts. But that should force us to think about why the Eagles’ #1 is getting backlash for many reasons.
Why Is Jalen Hurts Being Targeted?
Jalen Hurts is taking the hits because he plays the position that absorbs every spotlight, every mistake, and every dip in momentum.
When an offense sputters, the quarterback becomes the face of the problem, whether it is fair or not. Hurts is also coming off season where expectations exploded. So, anything less than elite production feels like a regression to fans, media, and even some inside the building.
There is also a deeper layer. Hurts is a reserved leader, and that style is easy to misinterpret when frustration grows around him. Teammates who are emotional or outspoken can appear louder than the quarterback who stays measured.
Add in the intense pressure of a contending roster, constant national scrutiny, and a fan base that demands perfection, and he becomes the easiest target in the room.
The noise is less about Hurts himself and more about the expectations he carries and the standard he is judged against every single week. Let’s see if the way people look at Hurts changes in the near future.