Lane Johnson: Jalen Hurts taking steps to 'become a more vocal leader'

Lane Johnson talked about the importance of Jalen Hurts being more of a vocal leader in 2024.

"I think just this offseason he's really done a good job of bonding with his teammates," Johnson said on The Rich Eisen Show when asked about some fans and media members questioning if Hurts is a franchise quarterback.

"I feel like the connection has really grown, a really big offseason. The work ethic has never been an issue, tremendous worker, but just becoming a more vocal leader. And I think whenever he speaks guys listen up and him reaching out to guys, creating these bonds in the offseason. He's having these throwing sessions with receivers in the offseason getting work in, but really has gone out of his way to connect with his teammates and we feel that. We're really excited about this year. Every year is kind of a prove it year to everybody when you're in that town and we all feel it some degree. Jalen is our guys moving forward, we love him, we respect him and nobody puts in more work than he does."

"Yeah just when we do breakout sessions during the offseason, organizing events to get together, usually more dinners, hanging out stuff on the weekends. Maybe stuff we took for granted earlier the past few years, we really had a big chance this offseason to bond and we spent time doing that—bowling, cookouts, but really just spending time together."

The 94WIP Morning Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie discussed the comments from Johnson on Wednesday's show.

"There's so much in that that's fascinating," DeCamara said. "I believe him that things have improved, which is wonderful. 'The work ethic has never been issue,' implication something else has been an issue."