Nick Foles spikes the ball in the end zone after his touchdown run. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Last week, Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly said that Michael Vick, when healthy, is his starting quarterback.
Former Arizona Wildcat Nick Foles has given Kelly something to think about.
With Vick nursing a hamstring injury, Foles had his best day as a pro Sunday — at least by quarterback rating — completing 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a 4-yard score on a quarterback draw and did not have a turnover as the Eagles won 31-20 at Tampa Bay.
He was spot-on on a couple of deep balls that resulted in touchdowns — 47 yards to Riley Cooper and 36 yards to DeSean Jackson. He also had a 44-yard completion to Cooper.
Foles had a quarterback rating of 133.3 on Sunday.
So, after all that, Kelly was asked again about the starting quarterback job.
This time he hedged.
“I don’t give any hypotheticals and I don’t do any predictions,” he said.
He didn’t say Vick.
Vick might or might not be ready to play Sunday in a key game against visiting Dallas, and Foles won’t do anything to stir any controversy. His postgame answers were typical Foles — “It was a great team win,” and all that.
He added: “It really helps to have quarterbacks in the quarterback room … who support you no matter what.”
Vick, 33, isn’t likely to have a future in Philadelphia beyond this season. Is Foles the answer? Maybe. Maybe not. The second-year pro has done enough in the past six quarters or so — 38 of 56 for 493 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions — to warrant a longer look.
C’mon, Chip. Stick with Nick.