Early in 2016, before most in Philadelphia knew the color of Carson Wentz’s hair and there was no reason to plan a Nick Foles statue outside Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles’ brass envisioned a plan for the quarterback depth chart.
Doug Pederson was just one month into his tenure as head coach when he discussed building a “pipeline” at the position replenished almost annually through the draft. Owner Jeffrey Lurie said the Eagles would like to try to add a quarterback every year or other year “like we used to do.”
Then the Eagles made a blockbuster trade to draft Wentz, they signed Foles as the backup one year later, and they brought Nate Sudfeld onto their practice squad and eventually their 53-man roster to develop.