As the shiny Week 7 slate of games distracted from one of the biggest storylines of the previous week — Jalen Hurts' blood clots situation with the Philadelphia Eagles — Monday provided an opportunity to circle back.
On Sunday morning, news broke that the NFL and the NFL Players Association would be conducting a joint review of the entire situation.
Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer, citing unnamed sources, maintains that the NFL is "furious" with the Eagles for their handling of the star quarterback. While one might be wondering what exactly this has to do with the Cleveland Browns, the tentacles connecting Hurts to Cleveland are far more tangible than what initially meets the eye.
The Jalen Hurts situation could present a viable quarterback solution for the Browns in 2027
For those who haven't been following it closely, Hurts was diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf ahead of the Eagles' Week 5 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The Eagles' medical staff cleared him not only for transatlantic flight, but for participation in the game, which Hurts did.
Upon returning home, Hurts underwent further medical testing, which revealed a much more serious condition: deep vein thrombosis. What's more, he was diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his lungs. This led to his placement on the injured reserve list and the announcement that treatment would sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season.
On one hand, there hasn't been any messaging from Hurts' camp to demonstrate dissatisfaction with the care received at the hands of the Eagles' medical team. On the other, there haven't been any votes of confidence, either. There is precedent for a player becoming disillusioned with their franchise after suboptimal medical care.
Back in 2019, current San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams demanded a trade from the Washington Commanders and vowed to never play for them again. The reason? Six years prior, in 2013, Williams complained of a growth on his head. He was assured it was nothing. Further testing revealed that the growth was a rare form of cancer.
Now, Trent Williams is not Jalen Hurts, and they're entitled to their own reactions to their situations. Nonetheless, both situations underscore the delicate and vulnerable position players find themselves in when it comes to dealing with team doctors. The entire relationship is built on trust, and a violation could easily lead to a player wanting out.
In an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler called Hurts' tenure with the Eagles "tenuous." He also noted that he spoke to multiple sources who believe Hurts has played his final down in Philadelphia. While there's plenty to sort out before that point — chiefly Hurts' return to good health — the Browns are a team to keep an eye on.
Why Jalen Hurts makes sense for the Cleveland Browns
For starters, there's the obvious connection between Browns general manager Andrew Berry and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. Berry was the Eagles' vice president of football operations in 2019 before taking his post in Cleveland. While he wasn't with the Eagles for the 2020 NFL Draft itself, one can guess he played a significant role in scouting Hurts throughout the 2019 season.
The fact that the Eagles pulled the trigger also indicates that Roseman, Berry, and Co. had taken a liking to the former Alabama and Oklahoma star.
Additionally, the Browns' home-run hire at head coach, Todd Monken, has a history with mobile quarterbacks beyond the norm. Monken coached Lamar Jackson to his second NFL MVP award. He also has demonstrated an affinity for rush-first offenses in the past. Hurts fits this kind of attack to a T.
The gift and the curse of the Browns' miraculous 5–2 start is that if they keep winning, drafting a high-caliber passer in the NFL Draft will become increasingly difficult. In fact, if the season ended today, the Browns' first-round picks would be 14th and 26th. That's before even taking into account that most of this year's ballyhooed crop of quarterbacks have been underwhelming.
This makes a pursuit of Hurts more likely. He would instantly be the Browns' best quarterback since at least Baker Mayfield, if not since the franchise's rebirth in 1999. Moreover, Hurts just turned 28 years old.
There is plenty of tread left on those tires, and answering the quarterback question for the next five to 10 years would allow Berry to continue building the juggernaut that's taking shape after back-to-back standout draft classes.
Despite the exciting start to the 2026 season, few Browns fans see a viable future with current quarterback Deshaun Watson. He has had his moments, but his age, salary cap situation, and inescapable off-field baggage make a continuing marriage hard to imagine. Not only would Hurts fill a major void in 2027 and beyond, but he could also win back a considerable segment of the Browns' fan base that left when Watson arrived.
Jalen Hurts has already proven himself capable of winning the Super Bowl. If his sticky injury situation in Philadelphia leads to a divorce, the Browns could be the perfect landing spot.
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