The disrespect is real, and it’s ridiculous beyond the pale.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms has undercut Jalen Hurts since taking on the QB1 role with the Eagles last season. All Hurts has done this season is earn serious MVP consideration, lead his team to 14 wins in 15 games he’s played, and smother the Giants en route to the NFC title game His first playoff win of his career.
Still, Sims continue to cast shadows.
On his podcast yesterday, Sims and his co-host Ahmed Farid touched on an interesting point of discussion: If you swap quarterbacks between teams, the results of divisional games will vary. different?
FAREED: If you switch quarterbacks, it’s going to be different, right? I think it’s very interesting. You can do that in all games, I don’t know if any games will be different, but especially for this one, like, Daniel Jones is getting slammed right now… Giants fans, ‘he Is that the guy, isn’t he the guy? Can we win with him?
If he plays for the Hawks, if Jalen Hurts plays for the Giants, I mean, how much would the Eagles win? 20, or? may be closer…
Sims: I don’t think it’s going to be any different because Daniel Jones is going to be able to do the same thing, I mean, he can do some of the things that hurt Jaylen — yeah, maybe not as good as a runner, but We know he’s really close. It’s not like, ‘Oh wow, that’s much better. Again, if you were to ask me who I’d prefer to be a passer, I’d rather pick Daniel Jones! I’m sorry for that.
What does Jeffrey Lurie’s definition of insanity say? For two seasons, Sims has been trying to utter the mantra that “Jaren’s injury isn’t that great.” Not only did his theory fail to show, but he got more wrong every time he said it.
Is Jones a better passer than Hertz? This seems to be just trolling for trolling’s sake. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell you that Hertz is a better passer, not by much. The numbers bear it out: Hertz had more passing yards, more passing touchdowns and a higher yardage than Jones. Jones has a better completion and interception rate, but the difference is negligible.
On the eve of the 2021 regular season, Sims released his list of the top 40 NFL quarterbacks. Injuries were not on the list. People on the list: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taysom Hill, Drew Lock and Kellen Mond, who has 3 more NFL passes than me since.
Hurts has made a huge leap this season. Sims have plenty of time to drop his narrative, or change it entirely. This is not uncommon. Analysts can admit that their assumptions were wrong. If you’re willing to admit, after further scrutiny, players prove you wrong, which will actually build your credibility.
It borders on madness for Sims to stick with this now-weary and deeply incorrect stance. But keep being you, Chris.
Maybe you can comment on his Super Bowl MVP speech in a few weeks.
