Matt Barkley Traded: Tim Tebow Likely To Make Eagles Roster
Matt Barkley has been traded to the Arizona Cardinals, per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports. After a battle for the third quarterback position, it appears as though Tim Tebow has won, and will be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles this season. Glazer first reported the rumor at 3:49 p.m. on his Twitter account.
Cardinals are working a trade w eagles for QB Matt Barkley #Scoopage
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 4, 2015
Less than five minutes later, the trade was completed.
Cardinals trade a conditional late pick to Eagles for Matt Barkely. #Scoopage
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 4, 2015
Minutes later, Adam Schefter of ESPN provided additional details regarding the deal.
Cardinals agreed to trade conditional 7th-rd pick to Eagles for Matt Barkley, per source. Eagles get pick if Barkley on roster for 6 games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2015
The former USC star quarterback was originally expected to be a top draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft. After returning to USC for his senior season, declining numbers and a shoulder injury hurt his draft stock, and he fell to the Eagles in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL draft.
During his two seasons with the Eagles, Barkley was never more than the third-string quarterback on the depth chart. In 2013, Michael Vick and Nick Foles were ahead of him. In 2014, Foles and Mark Sanchez were the first two quarterbacks. Going into the 2015 season, the Eagles signed quarterback Tim Tebow to compete with Barkley in training camp. According to NJ, Barkley was not worried about Tebow taking his job at the time.
“He’s not taking my reps on the field. He’s an arm we need for the team, with G.J. making the move to receiver. Tim’s just one of us. He’s trying to make the team just like we all are. It hasn’t effected my approach to how I feel the team thinks of me or how I’m going out to compete every day.”
Throughout training camp and the first few preseason games, neither of the quarterbacks looked overly impressive. Some even speculated that both would be cut, and the Eagles would only carry two quarterbacks. The battle may have been won last night during the Eagles’ final preseason game against the New York Jets. While Barkley struggled, Tebow threw two touchdown passes.
So what does this mean for Tim Tebow? According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, it looks like Tebow will be on the Eagles roster this season.
Cardinals have dealt a pick for Matt Barkley, as @JayGlazer reported. Tebow is the Eagles 3rd QB. Figure he sees field in special situations
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 4, 2015
While Sam Bradford is the starter and Mark Sanchez is the backup, there is still a chance we see Tebow in situations such as two-point conversions. While analysts still question Tebow’s ability as a passer, he is still a threat with his legs, and has the experience of winning a playoff game. Regardless, Tebowmania is coming to Philadelphia this season and Matt Barkley is out.
[Image via Jared Wickerham/Getty Images]
