Last April, the Eagles liked Matt Barkley enough to trade into the first pick of Round Four to take him.
However, the Eagles reportedly have interest in adding former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, which could pit Sanchez and Barkley for the top reserve role behind starter Nick Foles this season.
Speaking at the NFL meetings on Wednesday, Eagles coach Chip Kelly indicated he was looking forward to having an entire offseason to work with Barkley, who had four picks, three fumbles and no TD passes in three appearances as a rookie.
“I thought I saw him improve his arm,” Kelly said, according to an interview transcript furnished by the Pro Football Writers of America. “He was a little hurt coming out of college. But I’m excited about where he is and getting chance to fully work with him.
“When you miss OTAs and that Phase One part of the program and the Phase Two part when guys are throwing and working on mechanics, he wasn’t here yet because we hadn’t drafted him.
“The fact that we can get him in and participate in the full offseason program, we’re excited about where he is.”
For Barkley, building on his first NFL season — and leveraging everything he’s already learned in Kelly’s system — will be key in whether he goes up from No. 3 to No. 2 on the depth chart.
UPDATE 12:22 p.m. ET Thursday: According to Jason La Canfora of CBS, the Eagles will sign Sanchez on Thursday.