The quarterback competition for the Philadelphia Eagles just got a little more complicated. The team took over the top spot in the NFC East with a big Thanksgiving win over the Dallas Cowboys, but that did not come at the arm of Nick Foles. The win came thanks to Mark Sanchez who certainly redeemed himself after his last disastrous start on Thanksgiving. Now, as Foles begins to get healthy, which quarterback has the more guaranteed future with the Eagles?
Sanchez finished the day going 20 for 29 for 217 yards and one touchdown in the win over the Cowboys. He did just enough to help the Eagles get the win while LeSean McCoy put up 159 yards and one touchdown as well. The performance helped overshadow the infamous butt fumble and may have secured the quarterback's future for the long-term.
"I just think he is getting more comfortable," Coach Chip Kelly said, via Washington Post. "People forget he sat for a whole year [because of shoulder surgery]. He played a really clean game today."
Now the question mark turns to Foles who was reportedly getting healthy and was expected to play in the coming weeks. However, according to Jeff McLane on the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the quarterback might not be as healthy as originally thought. McLane believes the best-case scenario for Foles is that he is able to play Week 16 against Washington, but even that is wishful thinking. The Eagles have taken the stance that Foles must be more than healthy to get on the field and that simply is not the case right now.
Sanchez has the hot hand at the moment and it is likely Kelly sticks with him for the remainder of the season, unless the quarterback gives the coach a reason to take him out. However, what happens in the offseason? Sanchez is playing on a one-year contract while Foles' deal expires at the end of next season. Grantland's Bill Barnwell suggests that the best option for the Eagles could be trading Foles.
Philadelphia can sell high on Foles. He has an expiring deal and would be a solid quarterback to step in for a year while a younger quarterback develops. His one-year contract makes him an ideal pickup. Teams like the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans and potentially the Washington Redskins or Cleveland Browns could be interested if Foles is available. Sanchez can re-sign for cheap while Philadelphia drafts a quarterback for the future.
NFL.com reported earlier in the season that Kelly was not sold on Foles. This injury has allowed the coach to see what else he has at the position. Sanchez is getting the wins for Eagles and if he takes the team to the playoffs, the quarterback could be around for much longer.
