Former Philadelphia Eagles star Terrell Owens sharply criticized Cam Newton after the retired quarterback excluded Jalen Hurts from his top 10 NFL quarterbacks list for the 2025 season. Newton made these remarks during a recent episode of his show, 4th & 1, where he suggested that Hurts’ success was largely due to the strong support of his teammates rather than his individual performance.
Newton argued that evaluating Hurts is challenging because he benefits from talented receivers like AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, a dominant defense, and a top-tier running back. He emphasized that Hurts is a great quarterback but implied that his team’s talent elevated his performance.
“It’s hard for me to grade Jalen Hurts with the metrics that he, with the talent he has around him,” Newton said (Timestamp: 8:50). … “Jalen Hurts is a great quarterback. Do not get that twisted.
“But if we’re talking about what they bring to the table, right, holistically, it’s hard to judge what Jalen Hurts can do when you’re throwing to a guy like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, when you have a dominant defense. The best running back in the game.”
Owens Takes Aim at Newton, Comparing Him to Skip Bayless
Cam Newton’s remarks on Jalen Hurts quickly spread across social media, prompting Terrell Owens to respond. Owens called out Newton directly in an Instagram comment, accusing him of making disingenuous statements to generate attention. Owens also referenced Newton’s past missteps, including a notable error during Super Bowl 50, and dismissed Newton’s critique as unfair.
“You would be judging him if he had all of that and wasn’t playing well,” Owens wrote. “This is a Skip Bayless type of statement with dreads!!!! Don’t be mad at Jalen because he’s making great decisions, maybe had you made the decision to jump on that ball?! Just maybe?! Yall will say anything to go viral. This isn’t it (Cam Newton).”
Dez Bryant Defends Hurts’ Play Despite Team Support
Dez Bryant, the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, also expressed disagreement with Newton’s assessment. Bryant praised Hurts’ ability to maximize the talent around him, asserting that Hurts’ skills make a significant impact beyond just his supporting cast. He highlighted Hurts’ influence on teammates, including Saquon Barkley, whom Bryant credits as becoming the league’s best running back partly due to Hurts’ dual-threat quarterbacking.
“I think Jalen is one of the top 5 QBs in the National Football League,” Bryant wrote on X. “I believe the National Football League is looking for the Jalen Hurts type. Jalen has mastered how to operate the talent around him. Saquon Barkley became the best running back in the league because of Jalen Hurts’ dual-threat ability.”
Although Hurts and the Eagles recently celebrated a Super Bowl victory, the quarterback’s performance continues to be debated among analysts, former players, and fans alike.
Implications for Jalen Hurts and the NFL Quarterback Debate
The ongoing debate over Jalen Hurts’ place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks reflects broader discussions about evaluating quarterback performance, especially when factoring in surrounding talent. Cam Newton’s dismissive ranking has incited voices like Terrell Owens and Dez Bryant to defend Hurts, emphasizing his skills and leadership. These disagreements highlight the competitive and subjective nature of ranking NFL quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 season.
As the season progresses, Hurts’ continued success will be closely watched, with this controversy likely fueling further discussions on his role as a top-tier quarterback in the league.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Jalen Hurts so special?
A. Some people try to undermine Hurts due to the team setup supporting him. Although the Eagles have a strong roster, it’s their quarterback who drives their top-level success. He is a great leader who the team follows, and his wide range of skills makes the offense very effective.
Q. Does Jalen Hurts believe in Jesus?
A. I truly believe that Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross for us. This goes beyond just playing football. Football is my stage to fulfill my mission of sharing the message of Jesus Christ.
Q. What is Jalen Hurts Facial Hair called?
A. Many other fans on social media were upset about Hurts’ choice to shave his goatee. Their comments ranged from anger to just lots of crying emojis.
Q. Is Jalen Hurts an introvert?
A. He is calm, steady, and very thoughtful. Hurts is definitely an introvert, and his success gives introverts someone relatable to admire in sports.