Hurts talks record contract: 'Money is nice. Championships are better'

Jalen Hurts is more focused on his trophy case than his bank account after signing a historic five-year, $255-million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in April.

The contract made Hurts the highest-paid player in NFL history, with his $51-million average annual value setting a new benchmark. But Hurts is already looking past his financial status.

"Money is nice. Championships are better," he told reporters Monday.

Hurts will reportedly receive $110 million fully guaranteed at signing and just over $179 million in total guarantees. Asked why he didn't push for a fully guaranteed deal, the 24-year-old pointed to maximizing the Eagles' competitive window.

"Look at all the great teams and great players; it takes a village ... We've got something special going on," Hurts said. "We all want to do it for a long time. That was important to me to take that approach with it."

Selected by Philadelphia in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts has enjoyed a historic rise that culminated in a Super Bowl appearance last season. He posted a 14-1 regular-season record as a starter in 2022, setting new career highs in completion percentage (66.5%), passing yards (3,701), touchdowns (22), and passer rating (101.5).