Eagles Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz sits comfortably atop the depth chart, but can rookie Jalen Hurts challenge for the backup spot?

The quarterback position may be one of the easiest ones to evaluate as our training camp preview begins.

Over the next several days leading up the expected opening of Eagles camp on July 28, each of the team’s position groups will go under the microscope.

The first segment will examine the quarterback spot.

DEPTH CHART

Carson Wentz, Nate Sudeld, Jalen Hurts, Kyle Lauletta

WHAT’S CHANGED

Newcomer: Hurts

Departure: Josh McCown

The skinny: Adding Hurts was a big shake-up after the Eagles selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the last spring’s draft. McCown, who turned 41 on the Fourth of July, is still hopeful of playing again this season, but it doesn’t look like it will be with the Eagles unless something drastically unforeseen happens.

HIGHLIGHT REEL

Carson Wentz is a human highlight reel, from eluding the rush to firing darts. That throw he made to Miles Sanders in the back corner of the end zone while being flushed to his right is still a must-watch even after seeing it about 100 times already.
What he achieved last season, with all three of his preseason starting receivers out of the lineup injured late in the season is still astonishing. To rattle off four straight wins, all against NFC East division opponents, who, no matter the record, no each other so well and do it with a cast of understudies is probably something that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Jacob Eason, Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Joe Flacco all have higher throwing power ratings than Carson Wentz...

Sure 😂 https://t.co/S4slEbWukB pic.twitter.com/RZ0eOdxGis

— Eagles Fan Central (@EagleFanCentral) July 13, 2020

CAMP BATTLES

Really only one battle to speak of here, and that is the backup job, which is going to be Sudfeld heading into camp but Hurts figures to improve as August heats up.

Hurts could be a fast-climber and zip right on by Sudfeld, or he could take his time. Sudfeld has, after all, been a part of the offense going on four years now.

Head coach Doug Pederson was asked about Hurts on June 16, when he last spoke with reporters via a videoconference call.

“With young quarterbacks, you always have an idea or an understanding of where they are, not only at the beginning of your off-season but at the end,” said Pederson. “You take things slower with young players. You take things a little bit slower so that they can understand the terminology. They can call a play in a huddle and teach them everything else that goes along with it.

“The one thing we - as we've talked, even in this meeting here, is just not having them on the grass, but his growth from a mental standpoint from the beginning of the off-season to now has been very good.”

Pederson added that Hurts was put in huddle situations where he’s calling plays and was impressed by Hurts’ ability to recall plays and spit them back out.

“He's done that at a really good, high level and now it’s just a matter of once we get him on the grass, he has to do it for real and go from there,” said Pederson, “but I've been really impressed with his progress this spring.”

ROCKY: THE LONGSHOT

It has to be Lauletta. He came over from the New York Giants after being released and spent 2019 on the Eagles’ practice squad, so it stands to reason he has a decent grasp of the offense. But it will take an injury by one of the other three QBs, for Lauletta to make the 53-man roster, and even then, that may require a strong camp.

WHO STAYS ON THE 53?

Obviously, it will be Wentz, Sudfeld, and Hurts.

WHO GOES?

Kyle Lauletta, probably to the practice squad.

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