Eagles social media controversy ignores value of training camp competition

The Eagles’ decision to post Quinyon Mitchell intercepting Jalen Hurts created a social media debate. Some questioned why the team would highlight its quarterback throwing an interception.

That reaction misses the value of the play.

Training camp is built around best-on-best competition. Hurts needs opportunities to test tight windows in Sean Mannion’s offense. Mitchell needs opportunities to challenge a quarterback and force turnovers. On this rep, Mitchell won. Hurts attempted to find Hollywood Brown over the middle, but the All-Pro cornerback stayed connected and secured the interception. That doesn’t damage Hurts’ standing or define his camp. Vic Fangio said Hurts has performed well and looks faster. One interception during a practice creating difficult situations doesn’t erase that evaluation.

The play says more about Mitchell’s growth. He earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last season despite never recording a regular-season interception. His four postseason picks demonstrate that the ball skills are there, but finishing opportunities remain a priority.

Right on Q pic.twitter.com/ons19ZR2Hy

Mitchell has worked on the JUGS machine and recorded multiple interceptions during camp. He isn’t sacrificing coverage discipline to chase takeaways. He is adding turnovers to an elite foundation. Philadelphia should want Hurts facing that challenge. Playing against Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and an aggressive defense can expose mistakes before opponents get the opportunity. The Eagles’ social media account celebrated a defensive star making a play. It wasn’t an indictment of Hurts.

Sometimes the quarterback loses a rep because an All-Pro cornerback wins it. That’s exactly what best-on-best camp work is supposed to produce.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles social media controversy ignores value of training camp competition