Eagles sign QB Christian Hackenberg to add depth

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Philadelphia Eagles have made a free agent decision under center and add to the depth of shaky backup options behind Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

The Eagles have signed a quarterback entering Week 2 of the preseason and it's former Penn State standout and New York Jets second-round draft bust Christian Hackenberg, who according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Eagles plan to develop in a similar fashion to Nate Sudfeld.

Hackenberg has had a rough career since being drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After no regular season playing time, Hackenberg found himself traded to the Oakland Raiders in May and ultimately cut a month later.

He's struggled during training camps to make plays and impress coaches and he's really nothing more than a third or fourth option on an NFL team nowadays.

Hackenberg has certainly seen his career hit a rough patch since leaving Penn State in 2015 as a three-year starter under first Bill O'Brien and then James Franklin. Hackenberg amassed 8,318 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions in three seasons with the Nittany Lions. He went a career 685-for-1,221 with a 56.1 percent completion percentage in 38 games.

The Eagles will likely slot Hackenberg fourth behind Nate Sudfeld and slightly ahead of Joe Callahan, but expect Hackenberg to find significant playing time in the next couple preseason games. Due to a roster limit, the Hackenberg may not even make the team, but now Sudfeld has a little bit of competition for the third-string job.

 

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