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Jalyx Hunt offers thoughtful perspective on how he plans to fit into the Eagles’ defense.
Most won’t need to be reminded of what has transpired with the Philadelphia Eagles’ edge rushing rotation, but just in case, here’s a quick synopsis. Since winning the Super Bowl, the team has traded Bryce Huff.
Others like Josh Sweat departed in free agency. Brandon Graham retired.
Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo were added during the offseason to offer veteran presence, but it had seemingly already been determined that plans were in place. It’s Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt time.
They’re at the top of the depth chart, but even though there is excitement for their new opportunities, most would be lying if they didn’t admit to something. There is also apprehension.
Nolan Smith has already had some injury concerns. He endured shoulder issues as a rookie. Then, he tore his triceps in Super Bowl LIX. He’s becoming a great Eagle, but will the grind of a 17-game season as a starter wear him down physically?
Hunt, a 2024 draftee, only played 241 defensive snaps in year one. He made the most of his opportunities and improved as time went on. But, again, we’re only discussing 241 regular-season snaps.
That was only 25% of the team’s overall total. Might he enjoy a breakout season? Might we see a dip in positive production if he is asked to carry the weight of starting a full season?
Jalyx Hunt’s approach to his continued development should erase most concerns surrounding his second Eagles season.
Fortunately, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt won’t have to go it alone this season. Uche and Ojulari were added to provide depth and veteran leadership. Philadelphia also reacquired Patrick Johnson after a one-year stint with the rival New York Giants.
Fingers are crossed that a lesser-mentioned rookie, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., makes a sudden impact. Uche seems to have stepped ahead of Ojulari. It would have been nice to see both guys make early impressions, but if the Eagles gets something out of one of them, that feels like a win.
How can one put this and make it understandable? Uche’s pass-rushing style is relatively unorthodox. Often, he doesn’t move like anyone we’ve seen, but hey, if it works and it isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix anything.
Don’t worry about anything unorthodox from Hunt for the time being. He’s too busy trying to master what he has been taught before he entertains any ideas of freelancing. That has drawn rave reviews from many, including Dave Zangaro and Reuben Frank at NBC Sports Philadelphia. They recently brought him up on their Eagle Eye podcast.
There’s a guy who gets it. Jalyx Hunt turned 24 this past March, and he is already thinking like a veteran who is ten years his senior.
Nolan Smith is another example. He appears ready to become a locker room leader like his mentor and friend, Brandon Graham. It’s easy to cheer for this iteration of the Eagles. There are characters on the roster, but they are also genuinely good people.
If this is their mindset, and this is how they carry themselves, it will be hard for anyone to bet against them. We all said the same thing about Jalen Hurts early. How a person thinks can often tell us a lot about how we should expect them to perform.
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