Jalen Hurts finished Eagles training camp “in a better place” – and with an INT

After throwing his first and only interception in training camp, Jalen Hurts still managed to have the last laugh.

The Eagles quarterback’s streak of no turnovers before the last open practice of the summer is well-documented, but it ended during a team meeting on Wednesday when Darius Slay talked Hurts into targeting Parris Campbell in the middle of the field, but the veteran cornerback left the route and ran the other way.

When asked if the talkative Slay had any words for him after his winning streak ended, Hurts said he was the one who had something to say.

“I told him, ‘It was about time.'”

Hurts’ post-camp complacency is understandable given his play over the past few weeks. The 26-year-old quarterback began training camp with a string of strong days, and although the offense stagnated at times toward the end of camp, he made noticeable progress with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s new system.

Looking back on the entire summer, Hurts said he felt the starting offense had made steady progress.

“I thought it was a good camp,” Hurts said. “I thought we had the right focus. I think when you add it all up and quantify it – the ultimate goal is to quantify the work. That’s what you want to do over a period of time, just keep going, keep going, keep going, and I definitely think we’ve taken a lot of steps and will continue to take steps with the right focus.”

After causing a stir in the spring when he admitted that Moore’s system was “95 percent new,” Hurts said he has also made progress in developing the system with Moore and quarterback coach Doug Nussmeier in recent weeks.

“Just constant communication,” Hurts said. “Constant dialogue, I think that’s what it’s all about. I can really appreciate all of those things. It’s definitely challenging when you have that constant change and there’s not really continuity there, but there’s also a lot of opportunity. Really building a good relationship with Coach Doug and Coach Kellen and really communicating at a high level.”

” READ MORE: Observations from Eagles training: Darius Slays “about time” to catch Jalen Hurts; Kenneth Gainwell blossoms

The group’s first live appearance will likely be in a few weeks against the Green Bay Packers in São Paolo. The Eagles will close the preseason on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field, but the final preseason game is usually reserved for players vying for a roster spot, not projected starters.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni left out the offensive linemen for the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens because the field was too slippery. The group practiced intensively together against the Patriots the following week, which led to those players also watching Thursday’s game against New England at Gillette Stadium from the sidelines.

When asked about the possibility of no live representatives before Week 1, Hurts said he supported the decision of the Eagles’ brain trust, consisting of owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and Sirianni.

“I’m OK with that,” Hurts said. “I’m certainly OK with whatever Mr. Lurie, Howie and Nick have in store for us. I really trust our preparation in all of this.”

Sirianni has tried to recreate game-like environments at some points in recent weeks, starting with the team’s public practice at the Linc earlier this month. He also held two days last week that consisted primarily of intramural practice games, where the coach called out various game situations for the team to practice.

Combined with the joint practice against the Patriots, the two days provided a telling look at Hurts’ position in Moore’s scheme. It wasn’t perfect — the Eagles defense came up with several blitzes and Hurts was slow to get the ball out at times — but both AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith had a handful of highlight plays to close out training camp.

After spending part of last season with a knee injury and finishing the year with a dislocated middle finger, Hurts said he was in noticeably better physical shape entering Week 1.

“I’m better, yeah,” Hurts said. “I think physically I’m better. I’ve obviously had a few cuts over the course of the year that I told you guys not to ask me about, but, you know, you have to deal with these things. And all of those things have made me better, they’ve made me reevaluate some things, and they’ve allowed me to refocus, and I’ve been able to saturate myself with the right things.”

The Eagles play their final game of the season on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Join Eagles reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith as they analyze the hottest storylines surrounding the team. Matchday Centrallive from Lincoln Financial Field.