As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for the 2026 NFL season, quarterback Jalen Hurts faces not only a fresh offensive coordinator but also a completely new system. Sean Mannion, 33, was hired this offseason to lead the offense, bringing a scheme influenced by the Shanahan and McVay coaching philosophies. This transition is expected to introduce significant changes aimed at leveraging Hurts’ versatility and athleticism.
Sean Mannion’s Offensive Scheme and Expected Changes
Mannion’s background in the Shanahan/McVay tradition signals an offense that will emphasize play-action passes, the use of under-center formations, and significant pre-snap motion. This approach is designed to closely connect the running and passing games, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable attack. Head coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence that Hurts’ skill set fits well with this strategy, noting the quarterback’s ability to adapt and excel in various offensive roles.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni on Jalen Hurts’ Fit with the New System
Sirianni highlighted Hurts’ multifaceted capabilities, remarking,
“He’s shown that he can do all these things.”
He elaborated,
“I think what’s awesome about Jalen is he’s shown he can do a lot of things really well. And that’s a sign of a good football player. You may have a scheme, you always want to fit it to the players. But the great thing about great players is they can usually fit to any scheme.”
He added,
“If we’re saying that we’re going to run a little bit more play action, a little more outside zone, a little more boot action off of that, again, those are some things that maybe we’re saying, right? I’m sure you guys can read. But he’s super athletic being able to get that stretch read. He’s going to have a lot of pull. When we’re in the gun, he’s got a lot of pull on the defense that he could run the ball the other way.”
Sirianni also noted Hurts’ previous success with play-action plays,
“He’s been really productive in the play-action pass game. We haven’t run as many boots and nakeds here in the past, but I know he’s good at those when he does those.”
Evaluating Hurts’ Past Performance in Play-Action and Under-Center Plays
Analysis of Hurts’ 2025 season shows promising indicators for success in Mannion’s system. Despite attempting just 107 play-action passes—ranking 19th in the NFL during the regular season—Hurts demonstrated efficiency in this area. Across the entire 2025 season and playoffs, Hurts completed 72 of 115 play-action throws (62.6%) for 811 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 93.1.
Comparatively, on non-play-action throws, he completed 242 of 374 attempts (64.7%) for 2,581 yards, 19 touchdowns, three interceptions, and a higher rating of 98.4. These numbers suggest that integrating the running game more effectively with play-action passing could enhance overall offensive production.
Under-Center Usage and Its Future Role
The Eagles used under-center formations on just 221 plays in 2025, ranking 27th in the league. Additionally, only 21.7% of those plays resulted in passes, placing Philadelphia third-lowest in passing proportion from that setup. However, when in under-center formations, the team excelled with an EPA (Expected Points Added) per pass of +0.28, ranking third in the NFL. This efficiency raises optimism about expanding this aspect of the offense despite the limited number of plays run from under center last season.
Sean Mannion’s Experience and Role with the Quarterbacks
Mannion’s long tenure as an NFL backup quarterback and recent coaching experience with quarterbacks in Green Bay gives him a strong foundation to support Hurts’ development in the new offense. While Parks Frazier, the former passing game coordinator, will officially serve as the quarterbacks coach, Mannion is expected to work closely with Hurts and the rest of the QB room to optimize their performance.
Nick Sirianni emphasized this point, stating,
“How he looks at it and how he looks at the lens is through a quarterback’s lens, and how he can help him play his best football and keep things for him, how you get him to play the best football. And I think that’s kind of how he looks at it. I know that’s how he looks at it. So excited about that.”
Projecting the Impact of the New Offense on the Eagles’ Future
The introduction of Mannion’s offensive scheme coupled with Jalen Hurts’ adaptable skill set sets the stage for potential growth in the Eagles’ attacking capabilities. With increased integration of play-action and under-center formations, the offense could become more balanced and efficient. The coaching staff’s confidence in Hurts’ ability to master these new elements underscores a strategic shift aimed at making Philadelphia more competitive in the upcoming seasons.
As the team prepares for offseason workouts, training camp, and ultimately the 2026 season, the implementation of this offense will be closely watched by analysts and fans hoping to see Hurts maximize his potential under Mannion’s guidance.
