Jalen Hurts will be in the same offense for the third straight year, and making things even more exciting, he’s known his new play-caller for over 20 years.
During his first training camp press conference, the Philly Tribune’s OJ Spivey asked Philadelphia’s All-Pro quarterback about the transition from Shane Steichen to Brian Johnson as the offensive coordinator.
Hurts leaned on the fact that he’s known the former Utah quarterback since he was four years old, a significant asset for the transition.
I asked Jalen Hurts today if it's been a smooth transition with Brian Johnson as offensive coordinator. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/aCCLXEbRvh
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) July 27, 2023
As the primary quarterback’s coach for the Eagles over the past two seasons, Johnson is most responsible for Hurts’ passer rating jumping from 22nd in 2021 to fourth last season. Hurts’ yards-per-attempt average jumped from 15th to third, his interception percentage from 12th to fifth, and his touchdowns-to-interceptions differential from plus-seven to plus-16.
He finished third in rushing first downs.
A former college quarterback at Utah who has known the Hurts family for years, Johnson joined the Eagles after serving as the offensive coordinator for the University of Florida, helping get Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts to the NFL.
Before that, Johnson was crucial in Dak Prescott earning All-SEC honors at Mississippi State.
Philadelphia’s new offensive coordinator met the media on Tuesday morning, and here are takeaways from the media interaction.