Eagles Have Quarterback Questions Going Into 2015
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez got opposite results with similar performances in a disappointing season.
So which quarterback will lead the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015?
Foles has one year left on his rookie contract and is 15-4 as a starter under coach Chip Kelly. Sanchez, who will be a free agent after this season, is 3-4, including three straight losses that knocked Philadelphia (9-6) out of the playoff race before Sunday's season finale at the New York Giants (6-9).
"I just haven't evaluated anything," Kelly said this week. "We have a process that we go through. I'll watch every single game, every single throw, every single decision that everybody made in every position before we make legitimate decisions in terms of what we do. I don't think it's fair to any player or anything to say, 'Yeah, I saw enough.'"
Foles followed up a breakout year with an inconsistent one before fracturing his collarbone Nov. 2. He threw 13 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions and had an 81.4 passer rating. In 2013, Foles set an NFL record for best TD/INT ratio of 27/2 while helping the Eagles win the division after going 4-12 in 2012. His passer rating of 119.2 was the third-highest ever, and he capped it off by being honored as offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl.
Though his turnovers were up significantly, Foles still found ways to help the Eagles win. He did get help from the defense and special teams, which scored a bunch of touchdowns in the first half of the season.
Foles will earn $660,000 in 2015, but he's eligible for a contract extension. It's possible his injury cost him a long-term deal and the Eagles will let him play out his final year before making a lucrative commitment.
"We'll sit down and thoroughly evaluate everything," Kelly said. "He got hurt, so we have to make decisions moving forward in terms of what we're going to do. I can't say, 'Hey, let's not make a decision because I need to see him play 16 more games.' In certain times we're going to have to make decisions, so you have to make it based on what you have. We don't have any control over the injury."
Sanchez revived his career in Philadelphia after he sat out last season because of shoulder surgery and was dumped by the New York Jets. He played well enough to prove he could compete for a starting job on certain teams, but also missed an opportunity to solidify himself as a No. 1 guy.
Sanchez has thrown for 2,216 yards, 12 TDs and 10 interceptions. His completion percentage (64.1) and passer rating (87.3) are career highs.
"All the big-picture questions are not really for me to decide right now," Sanchez said. "Just playing again, being back on the field is a huge win for me personally."
Of course, some think the Eagles will try to land Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft. Kelly coached Mariota at Oregon and raves about him. But getting Mariota requires a blockbuster trade.
So, it's Foles' job for now.
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