For an interconference matchup between two teams with very different expectations, the Philadelphia Eagles' game with the Tennessee Titans should've been anodyne. A run-of-the-mill early-season matchup that everyone forgets about by November. No harm, no foul. Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and some classic Week 2 shenanigans changed all of that.
With the Titans pushing the Eagles to their absolute limits, quarterback Jalen Hurts was forced to rescue Philadelphia in the closing moments. A late game-winning touchdown throw to Darius Cooper with just 14 seconds left on the clock lifted Hurts and the Eagles up off the mat en route to a 2-0 start. Hurts' heroics were particularly notable because of what Simmons said about the signal-caller
before the game. Per Simmons, to stop the Eagles' offense, you just have to make Hurts play quarterback (a.k.a. make him throw the ball to win).
Well, about that. The Titans made Hurts throw to win, and ... he won.
JALEN HURTS TO DARIUS COOPER!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YEiErrM55A
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 20, 2026
Of course, Simmons wasn't entirely incorrect in his assessment, even if Hurts buried the late dagger for the Eagles. Hurts threw two picks and, behind a shoddy offensive line, was actually a big reason the Eagles even needed a late touchdown to beat the lowly Titans. But hey, in the end, he still got it done. And, objectively speaking (glances around at the scrap heap that was the early slate of Week 2), Hurts could've definitely played a lot worse.
After the game, Hurts made it clear he had heard Simmons' comments. Judging by his terse response, he wasn't really in the mood to elaborate on what he wanted to say about Simmons and the Titans:
Jalen Hurts asked about the “We gotta make him play Quarterback” comments from Jeffery Simmons:
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) September 20, 2026
“I heard it.”
“Did it matter to you?”
“I heard it.”
“How do you think you responded?”
“I’m happy we won.” pic.twitter.com/9ZNsEZh9K1
Hurts did hear "it." And he made sure Simmons and the Titans would now get to hear his comments about the Eagles quarterback, but not in the way he initially intended.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jalen Hurts had 3 terse words in response to Jeffery Simmons’ harsh review
