Jalen Hurts compared to future Hall of Fame inductee by ESPN analyst

The Philadelphia Eagles‘ incredible 12-1 season is getting plenty of mention around the major sports circles. Much of the attention has centered itself around the rapid development of quarterback Jalen Hurts. He’s in the middle of a legitimate MVP campaign. That’s a fact that hasn’t slipped by someone who is very familiar to Birds fans, ESPN analyst Sal Paolantonio.

Recently, he joined NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark on the Takeoff with John Clark podcast. Make no mistake about it. He’s all in on the Eagles and Jalen Hurts.

Here’s a clip from his and Clark’s sit down.

Wait! How is Tom Brady a realistic comparable for Jalen Hurts?

That’s right, Sal Pal just used the names Jalen Hurts and Tom Brady in the same sentence. This isn’t about playing style, personality, or supporting casts. Sal’s theory is about preparation and how both conduct themselves. While the Tom Brady comp might be a bit much for Eagles fans. Sal Pal added a few more facts to drive the point home

"This is Jalen Hurts’ team. This is Jalen Hurts’ season in the NFL. People need to focus in on just how he’s approaching it. He’s much more like Tom Brady than any other player.This is Jalen Hurts’ team. This is Jalen Hurts’ season in the NFL. People need to focus in on just how he’s approaching it. He’s much more like Tom Brady than any other player."

Here’s more:

"I think he’s a lot like Tom Brady in terms of; has a goal in mind, is totally focused, mind, body, and soul. Completely focused on that goal the way Brady has in his career"

Sal Paolantonio went on to say he has covered all of Brady’s Super Bowls minus one, so he knows how he prepares for them. TB12 is one of the greatest to play the game. He’s won seven Super Bowls in ten appearances. He’s a 15-time Pro-Bowler and owns three career MVP awards.

If anyone can draw comparisons to Brady, they must be doing something right. Then again, when you think about it, there are other parallels as well.

Both were overshadowed by other QBs in their respective draft classes. Jalen Hurts was the fifth quarterback taken in 2020 while Brady didn’t hear his name called until the sixth round. Each of them worked hard to gain trust and become a part of their team’s plans. Things worked out well for Brady. It appears that Jalen is well on his way as well.

Hurts eventually took over for a struggling Carson Wentz during his rookie season. Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe in his second. Both Wentz and Bledsoe were believed to be long-term answers for their respective franchises. Things unraveled in a hurry.

Hurts and Brady both spent their time on the bench while waiting for their big moment. Both took full advantage of their opportunities when they arrived. Brady saw success relatively quickly (it doesn’t get much better than a Super Bowl win in year one). Hurts used his first four starts (Philly’s final four games of 2020) as a learning experience. He led the Eagles to the postseason in his first full year as a starter.

Both Brady and Hurts are extreme competitors and are always locked in. They want to win badly, but the moment is never too big for them. Neither gets too excited when things are going well. Neither will get down when things go poorly. Their attitudes make it easy for their teammates and coaches to rally around them.

Jalen Hurts’ special season

Jalen Hurts is giving Eagles fans exactly what they saw in Carson Wentz in 2017, and Donovan McNabb in 2004 for that matter. He’s playing at a level that is rarely seen in the City of Brotherly Love. QB1’s play has made him a top MVP candidate, which would make him the first Eagles player to win the award since 1960 (Norm Van Brocklin).

In his first 13 games, Hurts completed 68 percent of his passes. That has resulted in 3,157 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. His passer rating (108.4) leads the league. He also has 686 rushing yards, and ten additional trips to the end zone on the ground.

It has been incredible to watch Jalen Hurts ascend into the upper echelon of current NFL quarterbacks. We won’t complain when he draws comparisons to some of the game’s best to ever do it. All of Philadelphia hopes that he’s a long-term franchise quarterback. It wouldn’t hurt if he brought multiple championships to the city either (much like Brady has done). Expect him to take the days as they come. That’s the Jalen Hurts we’ve gotten to know (and love).

Eagles fans, you’ve found your guy. It’s easy to be excited. No one would blame you if you are. Let’s continue to enjoy this journey one week at a time. Enjoy the positive media coverage. Enjoy the wins. With Hurts at the helm, we figure to see more of both moving forward.