Philly native Dawn Staley calls for apology after Hurts critique; praises DeVonta Smith. 🦅🙏

Dawn Staley, a six-time WNBA All-Star and longtime South Carolina coach, has been a vocal supporter of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Staley regards Hurts as her QB1 and her favorite player on the roster. She frequently texts Hurts, recognizing how high-level competition can feel “lonely at the top,” while also keeping him grounded so he does not get too buoyant or too down during the season.

For Hurts, the off-season after the Super Bowl win in the 2024 season has been challenging due to mounting noise and scrutiny. Critics questioned his fit within certain offensive schemes and warned he could be phased out in favor of a younger quarterback. When those criticisms did not materialize, and the Eagles added another win in the 2026 season, Staley—a North Philadelphia native—pushed back against the doubters, suggesting they should apologize for doubting Hurts.

“You mess with Jalen Hurts, you mess with all of us,” Staley wrote on social media, celebrating Hurts on a game-winning drive and praising wide receiver Devonta Smith, followed by encouragement to apologize to Hurts. The post came after the Eagles’ 24-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

The game began slowly for Philadelphia, with the team trailing 7-0 after the first quarter. It remained a tight contest through the third quarter, tied at 17-17. The pivotal moment arrived with nine seconds left in regulation when Hurts connected with wide receiver Darius Slayton on a go-ahead drive that sealed a 24-20 win for the Eagles.

Head coach Nick Sirianni praised the team’s resilience after the game, noting their collective fight to secure the win. Beyond Hurts and Slayton, DeVonta Smith played a crucial role on the final drive, catching three passes in the closing sequence to provide Hurts with reliable targets. Smith finished the night with 10 receptions on 13 targets for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Hurts finished the night with 26 completions on 37 attempts for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, earning a quarterback rating of 83.1. He was sacked three times. Reflecting on the performance, Hurts acknowledged the adverse conditions, emphasizing the team’s ability to persevere and weather the challenge.

The Eagles amassed 341 total yards while limiting the Titans to 291 yards, a performance that helped improve Philadelphia’s September record since 2021 to 15-4. This mark ties the Eagles with the Buffalo Bills for the most wins in NFL opening months over that span.