Drew Brees Criticizes Jalen Hurts for Sliding Short of First Down

Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees criticized Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for sliding short of a first down during the team's Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans, arguing Hurts should have fought for the extra yardage. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the Eagles' 24-20 win on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Brees, working as a broadcaster for FOX alongside Adam Amin, commented on a third-down scramble by Hurts. "I was hyping up Jalen Hurts, but now I'm gonna get on him," Brees said during the broadcast. "Lower your shoulder and go get the first down. You slide, they're going to mark the ball where you started the slide, not where you end the slide. So it's not a Tush Push situation. It's not fourth and one. It's fourth and three." The play left the Eagles with a fourth-and-three situation instead of a shorter fourth down. However, Hurts completed a pass to Dontayvion Wicks on the ensuing fourth down to extend the drive, which eventually resulted in a touchdown. Former Eagles center Jason Kelce defended Hurts on social media following the broadcast criticism.