In a few weeks, Jalen Hurts will begin his seventh season as the Eagles quarterback at the team’s veteran’s mini-camp.

Yet, for a man who has been a Super Bowl MVP and taken his team to five straight playoff appearances, there will be a black cloud overhead in South Philadelphia with mini-camps on the horizon.

Last year’s surprising playoff exit against a battered 49ers team once again triggered the talk about if Hurts is on the same page with the Eagles’ staff.

The question is whether there is a major concern over Hurts, or would there even be any if the Eagles had defeated the 49ers last year?

Quarterbacks, though, have had their share of unpredictable rides in Philly.

In this version of my Inside the Huddle column, I will take a look at Hurts’ situation as well as the flight and plight of some Eagles signal callers. In addition, I will recall the career of a former Tamaqua star who now is an assistant football coach there.

When It Hurts ... Hurts’ play-calling and decision-making came under intense scrutiny last season, as it was assumed that he was calling many of his own plays at the line of scrimmage. That became prevalent when Hurts ended the 49ers loss with four consecutive “vert” passes downfield to no avail.

Jeremy Fowler and Tim McManus, both very reputable writers, composed an ESPN article that was released last Wednesday citing numerous sources within the Eagles that discredited Hurts.

Discussed was his propensity to often change plays at the line of scrimmage and how he often butted heads with former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who was consequently fired. It has also become evident that the current pipeline goes from team owner Jeffrey Lurie to general manager Howie Roseman to Hurts.

Hurts was reluctant to make changes that would diversify their scheme. He reportedly would deviate from the game plan and several times make his own calls. Hurts also would disagree with Patullo and head coach Nick Sirianni, and he was viewed as an obstacle to expand the offense.

Hurts’ stoic personality also reportedly has alienated him from his teammates, and there has been a running rift with wide receiver A.J. Brown that often has been portrayed as a mutual bond.

Many defensive players around the league saw Hurts as an easy quarterback to read.

Retired and former Tampa Bay linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Lavonte David recently stated that “our game plan was just like, we’re going to make Jalen Hurts beat us. We’re going to keep him in the pocket, make him make his reads, understand what defense he’s seeing, and make him beat us.”

Should We Worry? ... Through six seasons, Hurts has compiled an overall record of 57-25 as a starter, taking over from Carson Wentz for four games in the 2020 season. He has thrown for 17,891 yards with 110 touchdowns, 45 interceptions and a 64.4 completion rate.

Hurts is fourth among all-time Eagles quarterbacks in wins behind Donovan McNabb (93), Randall Cunningham (70), Ron Jaworski (69) and Koy Detmer (66). His 64.4 completion rate is the best among the top 25 all-time Birds quarterbacks.

Hurts also has made the most with his legs, as he is the team’s second-leading rusher (3,354) behind Cunningham (4,482), and has nearly twice as many rushing touchdowns (64) to Cunningham (32).

Obviously, Hurts has the numbers to back his cause, and could end up being the Birds all-time leader in every category if he stays in Green and White.

As far as his contract, the Eagles signed Hurts to a five-year, $255 million extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at that time. The deal runs through 2028, includes $179.3 million in guarantees, a $23.294 million signing bonus, and an average annual salary of $51 million.

Hurts’ possible exit would be next season when his dead money charge would drop to $67 million, a figure that could still cause some salary cap issues.

Everyone will be watching how Hurts will develop with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion this season. He is a West Coast offense disciple, and we could see Hurts under center more.

Quick Quiz ... What Eagles’ quarterback holds the team record for most interceptions in a season?

The Lurie Factor ... At the recent NFL owner’s meeting, Lurie didn’t hold back on his feelings about Hurts.

“There’s no bigger fan of Jalen than me,” Lurie said. “The guy, MVP of the Super Bowl 13 months ago. Should have been MVP of the Super Bowl (in the 2022 season). Exceptional and so dedicated. I mean, I think you probably know, I spend a lot of time with Jalen, as I do with most quarterbacks. Incredibly dedicated to the game, to winning and being a huge winner. I love everything about him.”

However, Lurie declined to talk about another extension for his 27-year-old quarterback. Lurie also had love affairs with former quarterbacks. Wentz was the most prominent.

When Wentz was drafted in 2016, Lurie saw him as the true franchise quarterback and savior of the team. Wentz was acquired as the Browns’ top pick (second overall) in a 2016 draft-day deal.

Wentz came on board with new head coach Doug Pederson, and their relationship was never on solid footing. Although Wentz was having a banner season with 33 touchdowns, leading the team to an 11-2 record before he was injured.

In stepped Nick Foles, and his “Philly Special” call led to the first Super Bowl.

Regardless, Lurie decided to stay the course with Wentz, and he and Pederson’s relationship continued to deteriorate. But Pederson was the initial fall guy when he was fired before Wentz was eventually dealt to the Colts.

A new kid named Hurts suddenly captured Lurie’s attention.

That all could change depending on Mannion’s effect on the situation.

Jaws and the Human Weapon ... The Eagles finally found an established quarterback for quite some time when they traded tight end Charlie Young to the Rams for Jaworski.

“Jaws” signed his first Eagles contract in April of 1977, a five-year deal worth $800,000. After he led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl, Jaworski was given a five-year deal worth $2 million. He signed his final deal in 1986 at age 35, a four-year deal worth roughly $2 million.

But Jaworski only played one more season before he was released, and Randall Cunningham took over the reins.

Cunningham, who was drafted in the second round of the 1985 draft, didn’t really come into his own until the 1988 season when he was the MVP runner-up and led the team to a 10-6 mark. Cunningham lost in the “Fog Bowl,” the first of three playoff losses under Buddy Ryan.

Viewed as Super Bowl contenders in 1991, the season quickly turned for Cunningham when he tore his ACL in the opening game, and his career was never the same. But he did return in 1992 to lead the team to its first playoff victory in 12 years.

Cunningham endured a series of nagging injuries in 1993 and 1994, and was replaced by Rodney Peete. He fell out of favor with his teammates and fans, and announced his first retirement after 1995.

However, Cunningham was back with the Vikings in 1997.

Donovan’s Demise ... On Easter Sunday in 2010, the Eagles shocked the league by sending McNabb to Washington for a second-round pick and a future pick.

Over his five seasons, McNabb recorded a 92-49-1 record as a starter, five division titles and a Super Bowl appearance. He is tied with Cunningham for most seasons as a starter with 11.

McNabb, who holds nearly every passing record, gained the reputation of not winning the big game on a consistent basis. Former head coach Andy Reid shocked Eagles fans the previous season by signing Michael Vick, who was released from jail.

At the start of the 2010 season, Reid opened the season with Kevin Kolb, but he was lost after the first game. Vick stepped in and led the team to a 10-6 season and a Wild Card appearance.

But Vick struggled the following season with an 8-8 slate, and Vick and the Birds slipped further to 4-12 in 2012, which proved to be Reid’s last season.

Ironically, if the Eagles had not drafted Kolb in 2007, they could have drafted future All-Pro safety Eric Weddle, who was taken a pick ahead of Kolb.

McNabb played just 19 more games with Washington and Minnesota.

Quick Quiz Answer ... Sonny Jurgensen (1962) and Norm Snead (1967) both share the record of 26.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will look back at a former standout from the area.

Ed Titus played football at Tamaqua, and caught 23 passes for 409 yards for a 17.8 average with four touchdowns his senior year. On the other side of the ball as a defensive end, Titus recorded 43 tackles. He also averaged 36 yards as a punter.

Titus also received the Frances M. Inama Spirit Award, and the football team’s Sportsmanship Award. He played in the Schuylkill League All-Star Game.

After Tamaqua, Titus played at King’s College as an H-back and was a secondary education mathematics major.

He currently is an assistant coach for the Tamaqua football team.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com