Joe Flacco, Eagles STARTING QB? Please no! After previous reports of the Eagles being interested in acquiring another QB in this year’s draft, HC Nick Sirianni essentially confirmed the rumors. Sirianni did not commit to Jalen Hurts as the starting QB, and proceeded to confirm an “open competition” for the starting QB job next season. I find this to be a rather startling move, but I cannot say I am surprised, either.
The Eagles have always been doubtful about Hurts’ ability to be the franchise QB for Philadelphia moving forward. However, Philadelphia must accept the fact that they have to give him a chance to showcase his abilities for a full season! Hurts did play poorly last season, he was just better than Carson Wentz. Because of that, fans and media are riding the Hurts train, expecting him to instantly step in, and make the Eagles a competitive, playoff-caliber team. That’s simply not the case.
The Eagles trading down was supposed to secure Jalen Hurts’ job security, not worsen it. If a QB falls in this draft, such as Ohio State QB Justin Fields, North Dakota State QB Trey Lance, or Alabama QB Mac Jones, I would not be shocked to see the Eagles trade back into the top 10 of the draft to select a player they like. I also would not rule out Philadelphia targeting SEC QBs Kyle Trask or Kellen Mond, in the later rounds of this draft to compete with Hurts.
The Eagles not only should commit to Hurts because they have not given him a chance, but because they just went through this exact same process with Carson Wentz after Hurts himself was drafted. Philadelphia has several glaring needs on both sides of the ball, such as WR, OL, CB, and LB. With so many other needs, the Eagles should shove aside a year of pedestrian QB play, if that’s what Hurts does this season.
Ultimately, the Eagles are going to sadden the entire fanbase, and people will be calling for Howie Roseman’s job after this draft. Heading into the draft, the Eagles should be focused on building up as much young talent that is full of potential as possible before they run out of time to do such. They have the assets to do that now over the next 2 drafts.