The Philadelphia Eagles simply cannot keep their quarterbacks healthy. One week after losing Nate Sudfeld to a wrist injury, Cody Kessler suffered a concussion. As of this posting, nobody knows the severity of Kessler’s concussion. However, with the depth chart currently battling injury, the Eagles should be looking for an upgrade behind Carson Wentz. The Patriots have one of the best quarterback situations in the league and should be willing to part with current backup Brian Hoyer for the right price.
New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles Should Work Out Brian Hoyer Trade
Nobody knows about the importance of the backup quarterback more than the Philadelphia Eagles. Two years ago, the franchise won their first Super Bowl in large part due to backup quarterback Nick Foles. Last year, Foles took over for an injured Wentz and brought the team to the NFC Divisional Round.
Foles is now in Jacksonville, leaving the Eagles with a big need at backup quarterback. Nate Sudfeld suffered a broken wrist and won’t be back for roughly six weeks. Kessler suffered a concussion and is out for an indeterminate amount of time. Even if Kessler can return quickly, he’s not the type of player you want to turn to if injury strikes.
Finding capable backups is hard, but New England appears to have two of them. Nobody is taking Tom Brady’s starting job, leaving Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham fighting for the backup position. Hoyer actually has a surprising amount of NFL success, while Stidham has impressed throughout camp and put on a show in the preseason opener. If he can repeat that success in Week Two, then New England would probably be comfortable carrying him as the primary backup.
Brian Hoyer Fits Philadelphia
Brian Hoyer is nobody’s idea of a franchise quarterback, but he’s had success when asked to start. Throughout the course of his career, Hoyer has completed 59.3% of his passes for 9,902 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. This isn’t anything special, but it’s better than what you’d get from the average backup. Perhaps what’s most impressive is that he managed to go 10-6 over two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. When Hoyer didn’t play, the Browns went a combined 1-15.
Hoyer is the type of player who can succeed in small stretches if he has a strong supporting cast. Fortunately, the Eagles’ supporting cast is second to none. Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside form what might be the deepest receiver depth chart in the league. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are easily the best tight end duo in football, and the offensive line is ridiculously talented. This offense is going to be an elite unit as long as there is someone even remotely competent under center. Hoyer is a good enough quarterback to pilot a unit this talented.
Given Carson Wentz’ injury history, the Eagles need to invest in a competent backup. Wentz has only played a full 16-game one time, and that came after missing the majority of the preseason to injury. Wentz is as healthy as he’s been in years, but he’s still a high injury risk. This team is talented enough to succeed without Wentz for a short stretch, but they’ll need somebody better than Cody Kessler or Nate Sudfeld to win another Super Bowl.
Possible Compensation
At this point, everybody knows Brian Hoyer is an above-average backup or a below-average starter in the mold of Kyle Orton. Now entering his age-34 season, he’s not going to magically find a gear which turns him into a capable starter. Because of this, it wouldn’t cost much to acquire him. Chances are, the Patriots would be happy if the Eagles offered a fifth-round pick. This is the most likely scenario, but it’s also the most boring. New England and Philadelphia have two of the best front offices in the league and aren’t afraid to make splashier trades.
With that in mind, the Patriots have a need for more security at wide receiver. N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, and Maurice Harris are all fighting injuries and figure to be sizable portions of the passing attack. Someone like Nelson Agholor would immediately boost New England’s receiver corps and provide a reliable target opposite Julian Edelman (also injured).
Hoyer alone wouldn’t be enough to get the job done, so New England would have to throw in something else. The Patriots are loaded at cornerback and cannot possibly carry all of their good players into the regular season. If the Patriots added someone like Jason McCourty or Jonathan Jones into a trade package, the Eagles would probably be happy with the deal. Alternatively, the Patriots have an abundance of 2020 draft picks and could include one of those in a potential trade.
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