A day after Eagles coach Chip Kelly said hes not thinking about who will be the teams quarterback next year, the guy who signs the checks said he is.
We need someone to step up, whether its an existing young quarterback or somebody we go out and acquire, Jeffrey Lurie told Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. We know this is no secret quarterback is the [ultimate] position and the most important difference-maker.
The clear import of Luries remarks? The not young quarterback on the roster, Mike Vick, wont be back.
We want to have very healthy, high ability at that position, with excellent leadership and a lot of smarts and a lot of moxie. Someone that really can take that position and run with it, Lurie said.
Again, not Mike Vick.
Lurie also suggested the Foles will have an extended chance to show that he can be the guy.
And so Nick is going to have a great opportunity to showcase what hes done. Hes had some outstanding games and hes had one poor game, Lurie said. Time will tell. I think its really wide open for those that are on the team and its wide open for what our strategy might be if we dont have it. But its a No. 1 priority. Weve got to solidify that position in a really good way.
In that last part, Lurie necessarily opened the door for every quarterback currently on the roster, including Vick. But the balance of Luries comments made clear that Vick wont return for sixth season with the team and that the Eagles will be looking, presumably in the draft, for the next Donovan McNabb.
At 3-5 and fading fast, they may be in a prime position to find him.