Philadelphia Eagles: Who’s Chip Kelly’s “Perfect” Quarterback
After a 1-3 start to the NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles and Sam Bradford clearly aren’t a fit long-term. Chip Kelly took a big chance on a guy who was (coming out of the draft) considered one of those generational talents. Clearly, it hasn’t worked out thus far. While you should’t officially stick a knife in a team after four games (especially in the NFC East) it’s time for the Eagles to look at their future at the quarterback position.
First off, what does Chip Kelly want in a quarterback? First off is accuracy. A guy who doesn’t turn the ball over and plays efficiently. Second is the ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Not having to stand in the pocket for an extended period of time as the offensive line breaks down. Mobility? It’s a plus, but not necessarily a must for Chip Kelly. We saw what he could do with Mike Vick and Marcus Mariota, so it’s clearly something to consider. Finally, a leader who brings a strong character and culture into the locker-room.
All in all, he want’s a smart. efficient quarterback who can move the team down field and give them a chance to score every chance they get.
Now, it that too specific to be looking for? Not necessarily.
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Let’s first look around the NFL. Next year’s free agent class won’t be anything to sniff at. It’s riddled with back-up names like Chase Daniels, Matt Hasselbeck, Chad Henne, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Free agency clearly won’t be the road unless someone is cut.
Trade market. Chip Kelly the General Manager clearly has experience there. Which teams could be looking at moving quarterbacks after this year. Colin Kaepernick is one of them. Unfortunately, I don’t see him being a perfect fit. Turnovers have plagued him recently and his completion percentage has never been that good. Plus you’d essentially be buying into a five-year deal. Luckily, cutting him after 2017 costs about $2 million, but the years after that he has zero dead money on him.
Don’t get me started on the Robert Griffin III train. Not happening. Bad locker-room culture and a bad back history being carried on his back.
Now onto the 2016 NFL draft. It’s sad to be looking this far ahead so early in the season, but it might need to be done. This’ll be a tough situation for Chip Kelly the coach and GM. They sent a second round pick to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, so they have lost out on that round. If they bench Bradford and he gets less than 50% of the snaps, they get a fourth round pick. Now luckily, the Eagles have the most draft picks (10) at this point of the season heading into the draft. If they need to move up, they have the ways and means to do so.
Oct 3, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals linebacker Keith Brown (1) and linebacker Keith Kelsey (55) and defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) chase North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) during the first quarter at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon hasn’t produced a worthwhile quarterback in Vernon Adams Jr, so Chip can’t have that option.
NC State’s Jacoby Brissett is a name to watch for in the second/third round. Here’s a short snippet from Rodney Stokes’ report on Brissett from earlier this week.
"Makes great reads, can go through progressions, he is his own play-maker, has the physical tools to succeed at the next level and plays against quality competition week in and out. He’s a guy who makes the easy throws and can lead you down the field, in 2014 despite an 8-5 record Brissett threw 23 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions."
So far in 2015, he’s thrown for nearly a 1,000 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. His completion percentage is second in the college football. He also has some mobility, giving him another check mark on the Chip Kelly quarterback chart.
Second on this draft list is USC’s Cody Kessler. I addressed the possibility of Kessler being a fit for the Eagles earlier this week, but I’ll hit on some of those points quickly. First is he’s a PAC-12 guy; check on the Chip list. His favorite college target is Eagles first round pick Nelson Agholor. Former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is the back-up signed through next year.
On the field, Kessler has the second best passing efficiency in college football. His completion percentage is third behind the aforementioned Jacoby Brissett. Mobility? I called Kessler a “slippery runner” because he’s elusive and can get off a decent run every once in a while. While his arm strength is admittedly questionable, I don’t think that’ll be a knock in the Chip Kelly system.
The third and final option I’ll take a look at is Cardale Jones. He’s a big quarterback with enough mobility and winning experience to make some noise in 2016. The issues with Cardale. Turnovers. Chip Kelly hates guys who turn the ball over and create negative yardage. We’ll have to see how Jones’ draft stock develops a the end of the Buckeyes season.
October 3, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the football against the Washington State Cougars during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, there are a ton of other options in the draft this year. Jared Goff, Connor Cook and Christian Hackenberg are more designed for pro-style systems like Houston or Chicago so I don’t see them as realistic options. Trevone Boykin would be a major project in the NFL, which I don’t think many teams are willing to take on. Gunner Kiel is battling some injuries and some competition at Cincinnati, so I don’t expect to see him come out this year. A guy like Carson Wentz at North Dakota State could be a sleeper name on boards, but the talent level he plays against is clearly questionable.
Ultimately, Chip Kelly’s “perfect quarterback” may just be too unrealistic. I don’t see him getting the boot in Philly any time soon, regardless of what disgruntled fans say. Owner Jeffery Lurie is a loyal man and won’t give up on something he so strongly believed in after just three years.
Ultimately, I think the Eagles will be forced to draft a quarterback in 2016, despite all their needs on the offensive line and within the defense. It’s time to put those Super Bowl hopes back in storage Eagles fans, and let Chip rebuild this team with his guys.