This is the second entry in a series examining Jalen Hurts’ significant progress since entering the league. Each segment highlights specific mistakes he previously made and how he has evolved beyond them. You can find the full series linked to an episode of my podcast here. A big thank you to James Foster, an excellent analyst, for supplying past footage of Hurts and assisting with this series. Be sure to follow him and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Part 2 – Precision Passes – The Growth of Hurts’ Touch Passing
In the first part of this series, we discussed how Hurts learned to avoid forcing plays outside the established framework. In this second part, I’ll focus on an often-overlooked yet remarkable aspect of his improvement: his skill as a touch passer.
Touch throws are frequently undervalued in quarterback performance evaluation. We typically focus on arm strength, speed, throwing angles, and range. These attributes are easily recognizable in game footage and showcased during pro days, often leading to viral social media moments. However, the finesse of layering passes over defenders, particularly in intermediate areas, is a skill that’s just as critical for success today. As most defenses now utilize some form of match zone coverage, finding those gaps between linebackers and the secondary is one of the toughest and most valuable tasks for a quarterback.
The difficulty of touch throws lies in their slim margin of error. Too much arc allows defensive backs to close in, while too little may lead to tipped passes. This risk makes coaches wary and often leads young quarterbacks to shun these throws entirely. Nevertheless, mastering touch is essential in today’s NFL. In the past, a quarterback’s success relied more on precise ball placement against tight man coverage. While that still holds true, effectively layering throws into defensive zones is equally vital in the current landscape.
In his early career, Hurts faced challenges in getting the ball over zone-dropping defenders. Ironically, this was a similar struggle for Carson Wentz, whom Hurts succeeded. Many of his 15-20 yard throws either floated, lost steam mid-air, or lacked the required trajectory. Defenders would take advantage of these opportunities, and I often criticized his arm strength during his first couple of years.
His early film illustrates this struggle well. For instance, clips from 2020-21 display numerous instances where Hurts was unable to place the ball over defenders. Watching his recent performances, it’s hard to believe he is the same quarterback who now consistently executes layered touch passes with precision. A look at clips from the past and present reveals a drastically improved passer.
Completion percentage offers some insight (Hurts improved from 52% during his limited rookie outings to over 68% last season). However, success isn’t just about completion rates; it’s also about the quality of those completions and the challenges presented. Sudden leaps in accuracy are uncommon for quarterbacks, making Hurts’ development noteworthy. He is now a more sophisticated and intentional passer than many anticipated. Regrettably, this improvement often goes unrecognized in the media, which is why this series is vital. While he can still make explosive plays, his newfound focus on nuanced touch passes showcases his skill evolution.
Thank you for reading! I welcome your thoughts, so feel free to comment below or ask any questions. If you enjoyed this article, you can explore more of my work and podcast here.
