Eagles keeping door open for Joe Flacco to start in 2021

The Philadelphia Eagles are proclaiming an open competition at the starting quarterback spot in 2021, and it’s unintentional comedic gold.

Why do teams do this?

On Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni declined to name Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback, instead saying it’ll be an open competition.

Yes, the Eagles are looking to have a Battle Royale between Hurts — a top-50 pick who flashed promise as a rookie — and 65-year-old Joe Flacco. The same Flacco who is on his fourth team in four years after playing a grand total of 22 games in the past three years with the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and New York Jets.

And, yes, Philadelphia could add some rookie like Kellen Mond to the mix with a mid-round pick, but let’s be realistic and assume that player isn’t winning the job outright come Week 1.

The Eagles are really selling a battle between Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco

So what is the point in Sirianni getting on Zoom and talking about giving Flacco a chance to beat out Hurts? If that happens, then Hurts is a major bust and another strike against general manager Howie Roseman, who has struggled in the first round lately. And, struggle is a kind term when you look at Nelson Agholor, Jalen Reagor and, may we never forget, Marcus Smith.

If anything, the organization should be pumping Hurts up like he’s the second coming of Peyton Manning. The fanbase desperately needs something to be excited about after finishing last in the worst division the NFL has ever produced.

But no, let’s drum up a quarterback battle between a young player with upside and a veteran who should have gone to the rocking chair three years ago. Brilliant.