Eagles' Jalen Hurts gets record $255 million extension, bettors backing him on 2023 NFL MVP odds more than any other player

At this point last year, the Philadelphia Eagles didn't really know what they had in quarterback Jalen Hurts with the 2023 campaign considered likely a make-or-break season for him. Hurts blossomed into one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl finishing second to Patrick Mahomes in NFL MVP balloting. Hurts got his reward on Monday -- a record-setting five-year, $255 million extension.

Hurts was heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. As a second-round pick Hurts, didn't have a fifth-year option for Philadelphia to exercise, so time was of the essence to keep the franchise quarterback in town. Last season, the Eagles were 14-1 in the 15 regular-season games Hurts started. He totaled 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six picks while rushing for 760 yard and 13 TDs.

Hurts was equally good in the postseason and would have earned Super Bowl 57 MVP honors had the Eagles not blown a lead and lost to Mahomes' Chiefs. Hurts' 43 total touchdowns on the year surpassed Donovan McNabb for most ever in a single season in franchise history.

On Monday, Hurts agreed to an extension worth $179.304 million in guarantees, along with a no-trade clause (the first in Eagles history). With $15 million in incentives, he could earn up to a record $54 million per year in new money. The deal makes Hurts the highest-paid player in NFL history in terms of average annual value. That may not last long with Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow also up for extensions. It also could affect the Lamar Jackson market. Jackson, who doesn't have an agent, reportedly wants to break the record of $230 million guaranteed that Deshaun Watson got.

To win his first regular-season MVP in 2023, Hurts is +1000 at BetMGM and has taken the most tickets of any player at 11.7%. With Tom Brady retired and Aaron Rodgers likely headed to the Jets at some point, Hurts has quickly has become the NFC's best quarterback. 

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