NFL Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick Has Been Benched for Rookie Nick Foles

According to reports by Howard Eskin, the Philadelphia Eagles are strongly considering benching veteran quarterback Michael Vick for rookie third-round draft pick Nick Foles. According to Michael Fabiano of the NFL Network, the Eagles are likely going with Foles in week nine. But according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, head coach Andy Reid isn’t ready to commit to a quarterback change because it won’t solve all of the problems, although a source tells him that the Eagles are considering the move.

So, basically, the Eagles are considering a quarterback change but they haven’t officially committed to it yet. I expect them to do so later this week, meaning Foles’ first-ever NFL start will come against the explosive New Orleans Saints in the Superdome on Monday Night Football in week nine.

Foles will be called on to save the season for the Eagles, who are 3-4 and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the postseason. The Saints are 2-5 and even more desperate than the Eagles because if they lose, they have virtually no chance, whereas the Eagles would still have a very slim chance.

There’s a lot at stake on Monday Night Football, and if this rumor is true, I’d expect to see the Saints do exactly what they did to Kevin Kolb when he made his first-ever NFL start against them in week two of the 2009 season. Kolb threw for 391 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw three interceptions, including an pick six in the game’s final minute, and the Saints won in a rout, 48-22.

Changing quarterbacks won’t fix the Eagles’ problems, which consist of a weak offensive line, an underachieving defensive line and a total lack of motivation from the players. Oh, and there’s the issue that the majority of the coaches haven’t been able to succeed this year despite a talented roster.

But playing Foles for the next nine games (if that’s what happens) will give the Eagles an opportunity to see if Foles can be the quarterback of the future or if they should also select a quarterback (or acquire a veteran) before the start of the 2013 season.

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