This time last year, the Philadelphia Eagles surprised many by selecting former Oklahoma/Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The move was viewed by many as a sign of the organization’s lack of commitment in starting quarterback Carson Wentz. Sure enough, one year later, Wentz is no longer on the roster after the Eagles traded the quarterback to the Colts.

With Wentz gone, the path is clear for Hurts to not only take over in Philadelphia but to run with the opportunity he has in front of him after starting the final four games of the season for the Eagles.

The way Hurts tells it, he’ll have to work for everything he gets under first-year coach Nick Sirianni, but that’s something the quarterback is familiar with after playing for Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.

“I value everything that Coach has brought here,” Hurts said, according to ESPN. “I remember back in my days at Alabama, Coach Saban, hearing him talk about discipline, commitment, effort, toughness, and pride, having these core values that he is trying to instill in the team. In the end, it all worked out for the team.”

Of course, Hurts had to compete with Tua Tagavailoa during their time together at Alabama. Hurts and Tagovailoa both experienced massive success in college as starters and both led Alabama to wins after coming off the bench to replace each other in championship games against Georgia.

Those experiences should serve Hurts well as he looks to impress the new leader of the Eagles franchise — something the quarterback is willing to put in the work to do.

“You see Coach Nick Sirianni coming in preaching connection, accountability, competition, fundamentals and football IQ, preaching all these things,” Hurt added. “I know in all those different avenues, all those different values and principles that we’re trying to instill here in Philly, no one is above that and everybody has to go to work.

“So for me, I know rent is due every day. It’s always been that way for me … and when that rent is due, I don’t plan on missing no payments.”