| A Look At The Quarterbacks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Age | Exp. | Signed Through | Note |
| Matt Barkley | 23 | 2 | 2016 | How will Barkley develop in second season? |
| Nick Foles | 25 | 3 | 2015 | Without question, this is now Foles' team. |
| G.J. Kinne | 25 | 1 | 2015 | How much will 2013 experience help? |
| Mark Sanchez | 27 | 5 | 2014 | Can he revive his career under Chip Kelly? |
Here is a look at the current quarterbacks on the Eagles roster including Nick Foles, the Offensive MVP of last year's Pro Bowl ...
QB Matt Barkley was a fourth-round pick in 2013 and appeared in three games as a rookie
It seemed as if every pass Nick Foles threw at Oakland resulted in a touchdown
G.J. Kinne in preseason action last year vs. New England
QB Mark Sanchez at the Eagles' OTAs
1. What will Nick Foles do for an encore?
The numbers were simply out of this world. Whether it was the 119.2 quarterback rating, the seven touchdown passes in one game or the 27-to-2 quarterback/interception ratio, Nick Foles had a breakout season for the ages in 2013 as he took over in the middle of the season to lead the Eagles to the NFC East title and eventually win Offensive MVP honors at the Pro Bowl.
Foles is Chip Kelly's quarterback for the next 999 years, but what will he do as he enters his first full season as the team's starting quarterback. It's amazing to think that Foles has already learned two offenses in his first two seasons. There's no question that he'll benefit from being able to grow and develop in the same offense.
Foles has already showcased traits displayed by quarterbacks who have been in the league for years including manipulation of defensive backs and anticipation throws. There will be doubters who don't think Foles can match his 2013 numbers. That may be true, but Foles has already proved that Chip Kelly's offense can win with a more-traditional pocket quarterback.
Even though Foles has the benefit of the league's top-ranked rushing attack, there was a lot put on the quarterback's shoulders last season. In his 10 regular season starts, he attempted fewer than 20 pass attempts once (the win in Green Bay) and averaged 28.7 passes in those games. By comparison, Seattle's Russell Wilson averaged 25.4 pass attempts last season.
2. Who will emerge as the backup quarterback?
The importance of the backup quarterback position was evident for the Eagles last season when Foles took over for an injured Michael Vick and thrived.
The Eagles thought highly enough of Matt Barkley, the most prolific quarterback in Pac-12 history, to trade up to the top of the fourth round to pick him. Barkley was thrust into significant action in two games and showed the ability to make quick decisions and move the ball, but was undone by four interceptions.
Barkley dealt with a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his college career. Fully healthy now, Barkley will compete for the No. 2 job. Head coach Chip Kelly said that he looks forward to working with Barkley this offseason and seeing how he develops.
That, however, did not stop the Eagles from signing veteran Mark Sanchez, a former top-five pick of the Jets who took New York to back-to-back AFC title game appearances. Barkley's predecessor at USC, Sanchez missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. Sanchez only signed a one-year deal with the Eagles, but will once again have the benefit of a top-notch rushing attack which is what he had in those successful years with the Jets.
Sanchez signed with the Eagles to play for Kelly. What will Kelly be able to do with Sanchez?
