The Philadelphia Eagles have sent Carson Wentz packing, but his departure does not necessarily guarantee Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback role in 2021.
Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Eagles “intend to bring in competition” for Hurts in the offseason. Whether that is done via free agency or the NFL draft remains to be seen.
Philly owns the No. 6 overall pick this April. The Eagles could very well look to select a quarterback, particularly if Zach Wilson or Justin Fields are still on the board.
But general manager Howie Roseman has a host of other needs to fill this offseason, notably at wide receiver and in the secondary. He might instead use the Eagles' first-round choice to upgrade one of those positions while looking to sign a cheap veteran who could push Hurts in training camp.
Someone like an Andy Dalton could fill the veteran role after spending this past season with the Dallas Cowboys. Dalton was respectable filling in for the injured Dak Prescott, going 4-5 in nine starts and throwing for 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games. He is a consummate professional who can come in and do a job.
What about Ryan Fitzpatrick? The 38-year-old showed he could still move the ball through the air during his time with the Miami Dolphins last season, and has been a decent option as a journeyman quarterback.
These are all hypotheticals. Going the free agency route would also mean the Eagles are comfortable eventually handing the reins to Hurts as the franchise quarterback. But there is no indication Philly sees him as “that guy.” Not yet, at least.
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