It was a statement first half from Jalen Hurts on Sunday against the Broncos as the Eagles rookie quarterback continues to improve week-by-week. Headed into the locker room at halftime, Hurts was 15 of 20 for 176 yards and 2 TDs, which would have been three if not for a dropped Quez Watkins TD. He only made three pass attempts in the second half, but Hurts has had real progress at the position, and Donovan McNabb has confidence that this isn't a blip.
Here is McNabb on Hurts' development over the first half of the season:
"One, he is gaining more experience playing the position on the NFL level. Remember, everyone has been looking at Jalen Hurts like he's been starting the last couple of years. At this particular time, I think he has almost officially played a full year as a starter… Now you are starting to see the progression.
You are starting to see him establish himself as a quarterback that can execute plays when need be. He is efficient right now, and that leads to everything around him [improving].
"You are taking pressure off of him to allow him to grow, and now you will be able to put a little more pressure on him slowly to get more out of him. I'm impressed by what he has been doing and I told people to be patient with him. He can become that quarterback that everyone is expecting him to be."
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Part of the Eagles offensive improvement has been their run game. The Eagles have now rushed for 626 yards in their last three games and are third in the NFL with 144 rushing yards per game. The balanced offense, as Ike Reese noted, has helped relieve some pressure off Hurts, but McNabb still wants to Eagles coaching staff to go further on their priorities:
"I think it's important for Nick Sirianni and his offensive staff to come together and the first thing they think about is how they can continue to allow Jalen Hurts to grow instead of 'let's get a package here for Devonta, let's get a package here for Quez Watkins,' etc.
"No, the first priority needs to be your quarterback. We all know, if the quarterback is protecting the football on the offensive end and he's moving the ball methodically - and it's not so much about touchdowns or getting field goals - it's about eating up clock and coming out with points. If you are able to do that, you are going to find yourself in every game you play."
