Since Jalen Hurts was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2023 playoffs, nearly everyone outside of Philadelphia has voiced an opinion regarding his skill—or lack thereof. He was written off as “just another Alabama quarterback” and wasn’t expected to make a significant career out of the NFL; his difficult beginning seemed to confirm the skeptics.
After leading the team to consecutive postseason trips, including a Super Bowl appearance, Hurts’ story is gradually beginning to take shape.
Unfortunately, the team’s recent success has raised doubts about his ability to finish the job, which has led Eagles icon Donovan McNabb to snap.
Hurts has impressed McNabb in a recent interview with Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. McNabb praised Hurts and the one thing he saw about the young player straight away, praising him for his maturity from the start and his commitment to getting better every season.
“What you have is his personality. “Man, he’s the grown man in the room,” I commented when he was first drafted. He is unique. His father told me the same thing about Jalen when I spoke with him. He is unique. He is not the type of man that will hang out with the guys and act sexy. He is unyielding. However, I’m aware that he’s a funny guy, jokes, and enjoys himself. He simply doesn’t display that as it is his responsibility to maintain concentration and attention on his work.”
At this point in the game, is there anything more you could ask for in a quarterback?
Teaching a player to maintain focus and manage the highs and lows of the game is a challenging task. Hurts seems to come naturally with that, which will undoubtedly help him lead the team for years to come. If someone like Joe McNabb saw it immediately away and continues to believe in him now, even after suffering devastating defeats in the previous two postseasons, then it’s obvious he has what it takes.
Hurts is clearly aware of what is being said and how important it is to win for the community he represents, as McNabb also noted. It’s like a blessing and a curse: while success is wonderful, losing is nearly always more painful than success.
