5 best training camp battles for Eagles in 2019

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 28: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11), Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Clayton Thorson (8) work out during the Eagles OTA on May 28, 2019, at NovaCare Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Backup quarterback

Nate Sudfeld vs. Cody Kessler vs. Clayton Thorson

When it comes to the Eagles and their quarterback situation, having a solid backup has proven to be essential. Yes, Carson Wentz played and started all 16 games of his rookie season in 2016. He took his lumps but that experience proved to be essential. He came out firing on all cylinders a year later and entering December looked like one of the frontrunners for league MVP honors.

Of course, the talented performer suffered a knee injury at Los Angeles in Week 14 that cost him the remainder of the season and the playoffs as well. It was Nick Foles to the rescue down the stretch and on the way to a Super Bowl titles.

This past season, Wentz returned in Week 3 and wound up starting 11 straight games. He completed 69.6 percent of his passes and threw 21 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. But he also fumbled nine times and lost six of those miscues and seemed uncomfortable at times. He wound up sitting the final three games and the postseason for Doug Peterson’s club.

So with Foles now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, finding a capable number two quarterback is essential for this team. The team used a fifth-round pick in April on Northwestern University’s Clayton Thorson. This offseason, the Birds added Cody Kessler, released by the Jaguars this offseason and a performer with 12 career NFL starts under his belt. And while Nate Sudfeld has played in three games in two seasons with the Eagles, don’t be too surprised if Kessler seems a lot of action this summer.

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