Donovan McNabb Loves What He has Seen from Jalen Hurts, Talks Super Bowl LVII
PHOENIX – There is plenty to be impressed about when it comes to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
For Donovan McNabb, it’s his consistency.
“He impresses me all the time,” said the former longtime Eagles quarterback. “But the thing about it, listen, remember I’ve always said he was a grown man in the room. The thing I’m more impressed with about him is his consistency.
"He’s been consistent ever since he was drafted. People just wanted more, and they were expecting more. Now they’re getting it and so it’s kind of like now, what are you asking for?
“That’s the thing, he’s about consistency and you have to appreciate that.”
McNabb was making the rounds on Radio row inside the Media Center in downtown Phoenix on Friday.
“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “Obviously, you’ve got good teams, and then my head coach who drafted me second overall, his first draft pick as a head coach. And they’re playing here, the state in which I live.
"So, I’m excited for this opportunity to see both parties put it out on the floor and just make it happen.”
It's a win-win for the quarterback, who said he is rooting for the Eagles and Andy Reid.
McNabb played 11 seasons with Philly and is arguably the greatest QB in franchise history.
He never won a Super Bowl the way Nick Foles did, and Hurts might, but his 98 wins and five NFC Championship Game appearances are more than any QB in team history. He also threw for 216 touchdowns, more than any other Eagles quarterback.
In between going from radio booth to radio booth, he was asked if he had any advice for Hurts.
“Stay in the moment, stay in the moment,” he said. “Focus in on your craft, and continue to treat it as business as usual. It’s just like a regular regular-season game and just continue to have fun. That’s the most important thing, have fun.”
McNabb said to stay in the moment because it’s a moment that is fleeting and may not come around again.
He thought it would get back to a Super Bowl after the one he played in during the 2004 season, but it never happened.
So, there are no guarantees for Hurts even though he is just 24.
“You’ve got to go year by year,” said McNabb. “I mean, we thought we would make the Super Bowl every year. You just never know.
“(But) I’m very impressed with his season but it was expected by me. I expected it. He’s doing great.”
Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Fan Nation Eagles Today and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglesmaven.com and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
