Jalen Hurts train doesn’t have long-term passenger in former executive

Here’s a brief synopsis of how the majority of us analyze Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Prior to taking a step backward versus the New York Giants in Week 12, there were ups and downs, as you’d expect from a young quarterback that has less than 20 career starts despite being in the NFL for two seasons, but there were also signs of potential.

From Week 8 to Week 11, we were, slowly but surely, seeing the makings of a franchise signal-caller. No one has any issues with his mental makeup, how he carries himself, or his approach to the game. The only conceivable or valid criticisms that can be made are about his footwork, his pocket presence, his ability to see the field, and most importantly, the way the ball travels when it leaves his hands.

If Jalen Hurts had the same personality but threw the ball like Aaron Rodgers, no one would have any issue. But, who throws the ball like Aaron Rodgers right?

It’s for that reason that the overwhelming theories are as follows: The Eagles can either live with Jalen Hurts’ deficiencies and build an offense around what he does well, or they can find someone else who can make the throws that they’d like their franchise signal-caller to make. It’s that simple.

A former Eagles executive believes that, when it’s all said and done, Philadelphia will do the latter.

Joe Banner isn’t a full-time passenger on the Jalen Hurts train.

From 1995 to 2012, Joe Banner served as the president for the Philadelphia Eagles, and during that time, let’s just say that he got to know Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie and vice president/general manager Howie Roseman very well. As a result, he’s often asked his opinion on these types of subjects.

Recently, in a conversation with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s E.J. Smith, Banner offered his theories on a conversation piece that we’ve visited daily since Gardner Minshew took the field in Hurts’ absence and led the Birds to a victory over the lowly New York Jets.

You have to have a premium account with the Inquirer to view the content, so we won’t share any quotes. Here’s the point of the story though. Banner agrees with so many of you, that Jalen Hurts should start when ready, but he also agrees with the contingent that states he isn’t a realistic long-term answer.

Philly’s bye week is underway. It appears that Hurts is the starter for the foreseeable future, but as they have all season, discussions about whether or not that theory extends past this season continue.