Three backup quarterback options for the Philadelphia Eagles

We've heard the rumors about where big-name quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson might end up, but what about potential backup QBs around the league? 

The Philadelphia Eagles will be in the market for a new backup quarterback this offseason. 

Gardner Minshew was last season's backup and he'll be a free agent once the new league year begins March 15. Minshew was a solid backup for the Eagles over the past two seasons, and has been linked to the Carolina Panthers.

So, who will be the Eagles' backup quarterback next season? In this article, we look at some of the best options available in free agency and the Draft.

Whatever the Eagles do, fans should be thankful the team is looking for a backup quarterback rather than a franchise quarterback, like most teams seem to be searching for this offseason.

Ian Book, Philadelphia Eagles 

The Eagles' best option might already be on the team. Book was the third-stringer QB all season. He's spent the past season learning the Eagles' playbook and obviously knows the players well. 

At Notre Dame, Book threw for 8,948 yards and 72 touchdowns to just 20 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference. He even drew comparisons to another Notre Dame quarterback by the name of Joe Montana during his time with The Fighting Irish, Forbes reported. 

In the NFL, Book started one game in 2021 for the New Orleans Saints against the Miami Dolphins and threw two interceptions in a loss. The game was during his rookie year and he's in a much more quarterback-friendly system with the Eagles. 

Promoting Book is the best business decision for the Eagles. The team is expected to re-sign Jalen Hurts to a huge payday this offseason, and won't have a lot of money to spare on free agents. The money they do have left over should be invested in more important positions than backup quarterback. 

Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland Browns

Brissett has earned a reputation as one of the best backups around the league. Last year, he started the first 11 games of the season for the Browns while disgraced quarterback Deshaun Watson was serving his suspension. 

Brissett and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni know each other from their time in Indianapolis. Sirianni was the offensive coordinator when Brissett was the team's backup in 2018 and eventual starter in 2019 after Andrew Luck retired. 

The seasoned veteran has played solid when called upon and has excelled in different offenses as a backup. He's been linked to the Eagles by Bleeding Green Nation. If Brissett wants a ring next season, his best chance just might be with the Eagles. The only downside to this option is that he won't come cheap.

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Volunteers 

How could the Eagles draft a quarterback after the MVP-caliber season Jalen Hurts just had? But they used a second-round pick on Hurts with Carson Wentz as the de facto starter for the foreseeable future in 2020.

The Eagles have stated they want to be "a quarterback factory." To achieve this goal, you have to draft quarterbacks—simple as that. 

Hooker was a Heisman candidate for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2022-23 before tearing his ACL in a 63-38 loss to South Carolina. He finished fifth in Heisman voting despite this injury. It's the closest a Volunteer has gotten to winning the Heisman since Peyton Manning was throwing bombs for the team in 1997. 

Hooker has a similar skillset to Hurts and could run the Eagles' RPO with ease, if necessary. Hooker's story is even similar to Hurts. Hooker transferred out of Virginia Tech to play for the Volunteers and was a Heisman candidate in his last year of college just like Hurts.