The Philadelphia Eagles have been under the media microscope for a variety of reasons this NFL season. Head coach Nick Sirianni has come under fire at times but one of the main focuses of fan and media ire has been quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts has dealt with some doubts about whether he is the Eagles franchise quarterback or just a stopgap for a future draft pick. Here are the two biggest reasons why Hurts is the future signal-caller for the Eagles.

Jalen Hurts Fits The Mold Of The New-Era NFL Quarterback

One of the biggest strengths in Jalen Hurts' game is his ability to take off and run with the football. This skill came into play when Hurts was thrown into the fire as the Eagles starter last season in place of former Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz. The Eagles offensive line was plagued by poor play at times in 2020, though it was not as much of an issue with Hurts under center. Why?

Because Hurts is able to buy time outside of the pocket. He's also able to help improve his own team's running game due to his prowess in the read-option, which can sometimes help to offset a defense's aggressive blitz or pressure tactics.

Also, look no further than the top offenses in the NFL from the past two years. Teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens have been among the best in the NFL at putting points up on the board. One of the common denominators between all these teams is their quarterback's level of mobility.

The days of the pocket passer are over, unless that pocket passer is named Tom Brady. Mobile quarterbacks allow offensive coordinators to get creative and open up the playbook. The Eagles, who rank just behind the Kansas City Chiefs in points per game this season, would benefit similarly with Jalen Hurts as their franchise quarterback.

Jalen Hurts Compares Favorably To Another Eagles Franchise QB

No, not Carson Wentz. Jalen Hurts compares favorably to former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. A simple comparison of statistics from their first two seasons in the NFL is eye-opening.

Per NFL Comparisons, Hurts has the higher completion percentage, has thrown just 10 fewer touchdown passes and 11 fewer interceptions while averaging a higher yards per attempt. Both quarterbacks have similar rushing numbers, with Hurts having the edge in touchdowns scored on the ground. Hurts has played three fewer games than McNabb at the time of publication.

There are some caveats to these statistics. Hurts plays in a different era of football with different rules that allow quarterbacks more offensive freedom. Hurts has also benefitted from playing in pass-heavy games where the Eagles are down big and forced to throw to catch up, though it's worth noting that penalties and dropped passes have hurt his numbers considerably.

Still, there's no denying the impressiveness of being that close statistically to a great NFL quarterback such as McNabb- and after just two seasons. Hurts still has work to do as a passer. However, he seems to show traits of an excellent leader, also an important area to assess when evaluating a potential franchise quarterback. Given his leadership skills, untapped potential and fit for the modern NFL, Jalen Hurts has what it takes to be the Eagles franchise quarterback.