Matt Barkley Could “Get The Nod” As Philadelphia Eagles Starter in 2013

When the first two days of the NFL Draft concluded with USC quarterback Matt Barkley still on the board, a lot was made about how he must not have what it takes to be a top-notch NFL quarterback. While the jury is still out on the former Trojans’ captain when it comes to how he’ll be remembered as an NFL quarterback, the Philadelphia Inquirer believes Barkley could “get the nod” as the Eagles starter in 2013.

"If the competition is close, Barkley could get the nod. As Seattle showed with Wilson, what would be the point in delaying the future?"

Now, it’s a bit brash to suggest Barkley will start on the first day of the season, but Inquirer writer Jeff McLane might be on to something when he compares Barkley’s situation’s with that of Tom Brady’s.

Brady wasn’t the starter in his first season, in fact he started the season as the fourth string quarterback. But by season’s end he was Drew Bledsoe’s backup and after Bledsoe suffered an injury against the New York Jets the next season, we all know what happened next. Barkley may not start the season under center but it’s very likely that he can work his way up the depth chart and put himself in a position to start later on in the 2013 season if Micheal Vick falls back into his struggling ways.

It’s not unrealistic to believe that Vick will struggle and Nick Foles may end up struggling as well. If Barkley can improve this summer at Eagles camp, he could end up beating Foles out of the backup job or at the very least, put enough pressure on him that when the time comes it’s Barkley that shines through and not Foles, assuming he’s even still on the team and hasn’t been traded at that point.

Barkley is an interesting case to watch this summer, and while it’s a long shot to call him the starter when the season kicks off, don’t sleep on the notion that he could hit the field before the Eagles season is over.