Jordan Mathews Defends Jalen Hurts After Cam Newton’s QB Ranking’s Glaring Omission

I happen to like Cam Newton.  He’s got swag. He’s got style. He’s got a serious hat and scarf collection.  Not sure what to call his vibe but it’s unique.  But what’s not unique is his list of top 10 NFL quarterbacks that he released last week on his 4th and 1 podcast.  He’s not alone releasing lists like this one, snubbing the incumbent Super Bowl MVP.

10. Baker Mayfield – Buccaneers

9. Justin Herbert – Chargers

8. C.J. Stroud – Texans

7. Jayden Daniels – Commanders

6. Jared Goff – Lions

5. Matt Stafford – Rams

4. Joe Burrow – Bengals

3. Patrick Mahomes – Chiefs

2. Lamar Jackson – Ravens

1. Josh Allen – Bills

Now I know lists like this, where the name Jalen Hurts is conspicuous by its absence, tend to rile Eagles fans up and create a hate frenzy toward the author and that’s fine, it’s part of being a true fan.  I don’t get caught up in other people’s opinions.  If they want to broadcast their intelligence or lack thereof in ether space for the world to see that’s their own business.  I do get amused at lists like Cam’s that have only two Super Bowl winners on it and the one who’s got three rings is listed as number three.  Of course putting Lamar Jackson in the two slot gave me a good belly-laugh. Wake me up when he wins a big game.  Good quarterbacking after all isn’t about putting up gaudy numbers or winning hollow MVP awards.  It’s about winning championships. The end.  

That’s why when I heard former Eagle Jordan Mathews on Matt Lombardo and Mike Tannier’s podcast – Between the Hashmarks this week my faith in humanity and human intellect was restored.

Matthews didn’t hesitate when asked who today’s quarterbacks should model their game after.

“I know Cam made some ripples with his list…I have no problem saying this. If I had a young quarterback, and let’s say I’m coaching, and I had to pick one guy to say, ‘I want you to watch this guy and I want you to approach the game this way at the quarterback position’ it would be Jalen Hurts… Jalen Hurts is at the top of that list for me.”

That’s not just lip service. Matthews has caught passes from his share of signal-callers including but not limited to – Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill, and Jimmy Garoppolo.  He also played alongside Hurts during the quarterback’s rookie season in 2020. What stood out wasn’t just the talent. It was the mentality.

“Ten years ago, I would have said Peyton Manning, right?” Matthews continued. “Jalen Hurts is that guy now. He’s a finisher. He’s a leader. You don’t have to worry about what you’re getting day to day.”

The comments came after a humorous anecdote about a Philly fan approaching Matthews at a YMCA in Nashville to press him about his quarterback rankings. The moment may have been casual, but the answer was not.

“You got Pat (Mahomes), who I think is in another stratosphere. I don’t think we should even rank Pat,” Matthews admitted. “After that, it’s between Lamar, between Jalen, between Burrow, and between Josh Allen – take your pick.”

What separates Hurts from the rest, in Matthews’ eyes, is consistency, leadership, and a rare maturity that makes him the ideal model for a young quarterback.

“People say Jalen has a crazy supporting cast,” Matthews said. “I’m gonna tell you right now, there’s a lot of people with great supporting casts that would’ve found a way to mess it up. Jalen’s a finisher. That’s why I love watching him play. He’s probably one of my favorite all-around men in the NFL right now.”

You can listen to the full episode below: 

In a league obsessed with arm talent and raw athleticism, Hurts continues to separate himself through something harder to quantify: mindset. It’s not just that he wins. It’s how he wins – quietly, consistently, and with the kind of presence that earns the respect of teammates and veterans alike.

Jordan Matthews sees it.  So do the Eagles and more and more each season, so will the rest of the NFL.