​PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 13: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Washington Commanders in the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) GettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 20: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 06: Drew Brees speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIX on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) GettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 20: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jordan Mailata #68 celebrate after game winning touchdown during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) GettyDuring the Week 2 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Jalen Hurts landed some criticism from the ex-QB, Drew Brees.The former New Orleans Saints passer was on the call from the booth, and didn’t enjoy watching Hurts slide to protect himself on a run, rather than going shoulder first to potentially get a first down.The result of the play? The Eagles were in a fourth-and-third situation.“Lower your shoulder and go get the first down,” Brees said from the booth.It was an unpopular take amongst NFL fans and analysts on social media.NFL World Reacts To Drew Brees’ Jalen Hurts CommentGettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 20: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Les Bowen: Jason Avant with a good point on the postgame. What did Hurts ever do to Drew Brees? That was some b*******.”East Coast Al: Drew Brees is a dweeb he got this weird hate towards HurtsJalen Rose: Brees couldn’t run against a Pop Warner team & never considered lowering his shoulder. 🧢2k SA: Drew Brees, guy that is notorious for having well done beef brisket for a shoulder, just told Jalen Hurts to put his shoulder down into 3 defenders…GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 06: Drew Brees speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIX on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
There is a lot of irony in Brees’ suggestion. The former quarterback might’ve been one of the most prominent players at the position during his era, but he has a notable history of shoulder injuries, dating back to 2005.Being a former quarterback, criticizing a current quarterback for protecting himself to see another play without setbacks is certainly bad optics.Hurts and t