Hurts did more than most ever imagined in his 2022 NFL season and had an MVP-caliber performance in the Super Bowl, exceeding expectations that were set heading into the season. All of this has landed him a new contract making him the highest paid player in franchise history and the new face of the team.
While he may not be the most expressive or enthusiastic quarterback in the team's history, his humble and driven personality has led the team to greatness. Recent videos released by the team clearly depict him as a resolute leader who exemplifies his words through his actions. So, just a year after he was underestimated, Hurts is now expected to lead the team back to the postseason and get that Super Bowl victory they missed by a hair.
Given Hurts' demeanor and relentless commitment to daily improvement, we can expect that he will return to training camp in peak form—no small accomplishment considering his exceptional performance last season. In the months following, the quarterback openly discussed recognizing his areas that warrant improvement, although he chose not to divulge the specifics of his checklist. Nevertheless, he emphasized that his work ethic remains strong, even after securing a transformative contract that has altered the course of his life.
Let's not forget that Hurts concluded the 2022 NFL regular season with an outstanding record of 14 wins and only 1 loss in the 15 games he played. His performance included 306 completed passes for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns, with a remarkable low of just six interceptions. Additionally, he demonstrated his versatility with 165 carries, accumulating 760 yards and an impressive 13 rushing touchdowns. In the postseason, he further showcased his skills by completing 58 passes for 579 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing 35 carries for 143 yards and five additional touchdowns. Notably, his exceptional performance earned him a well-deserved spot in the Pro Bowl, recognition through the Bert Bell Award, two votes for MVP, and the establishment of numerous franchise and league records throughout his journey.
While some are still shy to include Hurts in the top-tier of elite NFL quarterbacks, that stance will only get harder to justify as Hurts continues to progress and break even more records. While they weren't able to come away with the Super Bowl win they were looking for, given Hurts' outstanding performance it would be hard to classify him as anything other than a top 5 QB in the league.
