QBs Still Available That Could Backup Carson Wentz In 2020

With the departure of Josh McCown and the limited experience of Nate Sudfeld, the Eagles may look for a veteran at the position to further mentor Carson Wentz. I’m the last one to label Wentz as “injury-prone”,  but if bad luck strikes again I’m not too confident in leaving any game at the command of Nate Sudfeld. Howie Roseman, however, did state recently that the Eagles are a bit higher on Sudfeld than I am:

“Nate is a guy that has developed in our program and has a great awareness of what we’re trying to do offensively, As we look at this offseason and the challenges that we may face this offseason, having a reliable player back there who knows what we’re doing, who knows our scheme, who knows our offensive players, is important to us. But we also think he has a talent level. That’s a 26-year-old guy that we think we can do a lot of things and has a lot of traits that we’re looking for in a quarterback.”

If the Eagles do decide to bring in a veteran QB to compete with Sudfeld for the backup job, there are some names to keep an eye on:

Matt Moore

Moore spent 2019 in Kansas City after being with the Dolphins for 7 years. He appeared in 6 games last season, starting 2 of them in reserve for Patrick Mahomes as he recovered from a knee injury. Moore completed 65% of his passes while throwing for 4 TDs and 0 INTs, keeping the Chiefs above water during that span. There is only so much stock you put into a QB’s performance when they have Tyreek Hill & Travis Kelce to throw to, but he’s proven to be serviceable in the past with a Super Bowl ring in his own right. Andy Reid tailored the offense to Moore’s strengths in Mahomes’ absence. Doug Pederson would be able to do the same if needed, similarly to how he won a championship with Nick Foles.

Matt Moore hasn’t played since 2017. Enters a road game without any reps with the 1s in practice. Drops back to pass, avoids pressure and throws a dime for a touchdown. Impressive pic.twitter.com/KICaC3aPVl

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 18, 2019

Joe Flacco

The South Jersey-native wouldn’t be opposed to finishing out his career back home. Flacco has been riddled with injuries in recent years, suffering a neck injury that kept him out for the final 8 games last season. He posted a career-high completion percentage prior to the injury, but the Denver defense didn’t do him any favors. Flacco was just 2-6 as the starting QB for the Broncos while throwing for 6 TDs and 5 INTs. Additionally, the rapport between Flacco and new Eagles Offensive Assistant Rich Scarangello is a rocky one. If they can salvage that relationship, Flacco has the arm strength and experience to be a valuable backup.

🤔 Joe Flacco still wants to play & I asked the free-agent QB about the possibility of going to the Eagles

“I grew up with it… all my friends, live & die with the Eagles. There definitely be a lot of very cool things about that. You never know what the future holds”@6abc pic.twitter.com/goqWCycXUj

— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) April 13, 2020

Andy Dalton

It’s hard to foresee Dalton in Cincinnati’s plans moving forward. With shiny new toy Joe Burrow more than likely coming to town, the former Pro Bowl QB could be released with one year remaining on his deal. Dalton has been relatively healthy throughout his career, only missing 11 games in 9 years. With Cam Newton still on the market, it wouldn’t surprise me if the former second-round pick doesn’t find a starting job in 2020. As far as backup quarterbacks go, the Eagles could do a lot worse. Dalton has thrown for 31,000 yards and 204 TDs in his career.

That’s a game winner from A.J. Green and Andy Dalton! #SCtop10

📺: CBS #CINvsATLpic.twitter.com/bWT0kfDzvR

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 30, 2018

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