49ers defeat Eagles to advance to divisional round (1:13)Christian McCaffrey’s late touchdown powers the 49ers to a 23-19 victory over the Eagles. (1:13)
PHILADELPHIA — With his season over after a failed Super Bowl repeat bid, Jalen Hurts sounded like a quarterback who’s ready for a fifth Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator in five seasons.
A day after the Eagles were knocked out of the playoffs in the wild-card round by the San Francisco 49ers, Hurts didn’t give an endorsement for the beleaguered Kevin Patullo, whose house was egged earlier this season as he became the top target for fans’ frustrations.
Hurts declined a chance to stump for Patullo and instead put the decision on Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Hurts even had two games this season in which he failed to complete a pass in the second half. That should be almost impossible for any NFL quarterback, much less the Super Bowl MVP.
Hurts couldn’t get on track against an injury-depleted 49ers defense, and he threw incomplete into double coverage on fourth down when the Eagles still had a chance to win, ending Philadelphia’s bid to repeat.
Saquon Barkley rushed for 865 fewer yards than last season, when Kellen Moore was in charge of Philadelphia’s offense. Moore left the Eagles after the Super Bowl to become the New Orleans Saints’ head coach.
“I think [the media] has to point the finger at one person,” Barkley said. “That’s what you guys have to do in your job. Somebody’s got to catch the blame, especially when we had the season we had the year before. Do I think that’s fair? No. I don’t think that’s fair at all.”
Hurts also said Monday that everything was good between him and disgruntled wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Brown was one of the few prominent Eagles to skip Monday’s media session, along with offensive lineman Lane Johnson and defensive end Brandon Graham. Brown also left the locker room without talking to reporters after Sunday’s loss, which left Sirianni to explain the circumstances of a sideline kerfuffle between the two.
49ers defeat Eagles to advance to divisional round (1:13)Christian McCaffrey’s late touchdown powers the 49ers to a 23-19 victory over the Eagles. (1:13)
“A.J. and I will talk,” Hurts said. “We’re in a great place. Maybe you all can talk to him and ask.”
The “Always Open” sign still dangled over Brown’s locker even with the wideout nowhere to be found.
Christian McCaffrey’s late touchdown powers the 49ers to a 23-19 victory over the Eagles. (1:13)