After a brief layover in Oakland, the former Jet has now landed in Philadelphia. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg has signed with the defending Super Bowl champs, which is apt, given that he’s likely to be rather defensive himself right now.
Taken 51st overall, Hackenberg became one of the most controversial picks of the 2016 NFL draft, when the New York Jets called his name in the second round. Ever the polarizing player, he was a star in his freshman year at Penn State, thriving under a Bill O’Brien system. However, when O’Brien left the following season, Hackenberg’s production suddenly tumbled. He took regular beatings behind a woeful offensive line, and his numbers, particularly accuracy, dropped off.
However, this was one of the former top-rated recruits in the country. The Jets saw his upside, and as his success with O’Brien proved, he may just need the right coach. Apparently that coach was not to be found in East Rutherford.
Two years into his NFL career and Hackenberg has still never played a single regular season snap. In fact, the Jets traded him to the Oakland Raiders in May this year, for a conditional 2019 7th round draft pick. OUCH. After just three weeks as a Raider, Hackenberg was released. He was then seen working out with the New England Patriots in June, but nothing came of it. Then this week, news broke that he had been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. The same Philadelphia Eagles who have to choose between Carson Wentz and Nick ‘current Super Bowl MVP’ Foles as their starting quarterback; life is hard. I think we all had to rub our eyes and re-read that news when we saw it.
Hackenberg is now the fifth quarterback on the Eagles roster, behind Wentz, Foles, Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan. Why on earth would the Eagles do this? Well, with Wentz recovering from a torn ACL, he is not expected to play in the preseason. That’s a no-brainer. This is where the backups come in handy, however, Nick Foles is their backup, so overworking him during preseason may not be the smartest option, as they may need him to start week one, if Wentz isn’t 100%.
Also worth mentioning, is another probable reason for the surprise signing. Last week, Foles confirmed that he’s been dealing with neck and shoulder spasms, which he blames on excessive throwing during practice. Cue the signing of another arm STAT.
When it comes to the final 53 man roster, we all know Wentz and Foles are a lock. It’s reported that Eagles coaching staff are very keen on Sudfeld, so he’s quite likely to remain the third stringer. However, if the Eagles choose to carry four quarterbacks on their roster this season, it’s entirely possible that Hackenberg could displace Callahan and find a new home in the city of brotherly love.
Hackenberg has the arm and the size. He always has. The difference, is that he is now working under head coach Doug Pederson, who –like O’Brien at Penn State- is developing a reputation for being something of a ‘quarterback whisperer’. While it may be that Hackenberg’s arm is just another gun for hire, providing some rest for their marquee QBs, this is an opportunity for Hackenberg, and, as strange as this is to say about a 23-year-old athlete – possibly his last real chance.
This Thursday will see the Eagles face off against the Patriots; which is about as exciting as a preseason game gets, let’s face it. Foles and Sudfeld are likely to take the majority of snaps, granted. However, we may also get to see a very fired up Hackenberg, fighting for his career against the team who quietly passed on him two months ago.
