The Philadelphia Eagles are coming into training camp with Sam Bradford as the starter and Mark Sanchez as the main backup quarterback, but Chip Kelly could let those two compete to start and this comes as the trade or release of either Tim Tebow or Matt Barkley could come after the preseason depending on who wins the third string job.
The Eagles were one of the most active teams in the league this offseason and that included bringing in Bradford in a trade for Nick Foles. The team also signed Tim Tebow to a contract and at the time Kelly said that Tebow would get the chance to make the roster in camp. Matt Barkley is coming in as the third string quarterback from last season, but there is a good chance he could get beaten out in cam if Tebow plays well enough.
Barkley was reportedly shopped in trades around the NFL draft and the team could pick back up on that in camp or during the preseason if injuries happen for other teams. Barkley has only thrown 50 passes in two years under Kelly and last season he only threw one while Foles was injured for eight games, which could clarify what value Kelly thinks Barkley has. Tebow gives the team an added element even if he is not a great pocket passer, as he could be used in special offensive sets, short yardage plays and two point conversions.
The move for Bradford baffled many at the time and still does now, according to a report from Pro Football Talk. Mark Eckel of NJ.com spoke with "one of the league's top executives in personnel" and he said that he was "skeptical" about what Bradford could bring to the team compared to Foles. The exec said that while Bradford has potential as a former number one overall pick, he has not done much "since then" and part of that has to do with injuries.
While that report doesn't mean Bradford will be a short-term option in Philly, it does add some context to the move and a wrinkle about competition heading into training camp. CSN Philly reported a couple weeks ago that Kelly said that Bradford and Sanchez are "openly competing" to start in training camp. That could be just some word play for the two players heading into camp, but it's likely that Kelly will give Sanchez a chance to win the starting job. Sanchez was solid last season with 14 touchdowns in nine games for the Eagles while completing 64 percent of his passes.
Sanchez played well coming in for an injured Foles last season and Kelly likes his grasp of the offense coming into this year. Sanchez was brought back in free agency and Kelly likely feels comfortable with him starting if Bradford is injured again after coming back from multiple surgeries. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Barkley is "no lock" to stick at the number three quarterback position and that Tebow likely will make the roster. NJ.com's Eliot Shor-Parks also predicted that Tebow will make the roster, as he "doesn't turn the ball over" and will be a better option than Barkley.
