Mike Vick and Nick Foles will split reps evenly during Friday night’s preseason opener, according to coach Chip Kelly.
Don’t tell Chip Kelly the first preseason game is just days away. It isn’t going to speed up his decision to name a starting quarterback.
Mike Vick and Nick Foles shared first-team reps again Wednesday. Vick still appears to be have the upper hand, although Foles has looked sharp in joint practices against the Patriots. That being said, Kelly isn’t saying which one will take the first snap in Friday’s preseason opener.
“We do have to have someone start the game, but I wouldn’t say the guy who starts the game is going to be the starter overall, in general, as we get going on September 9,” Kelly said. “How do we divvy up Mike and Nick’s snaps? We’ll try to make that as even as possible.”
The news isn’t surprising. The team’s depth chart still lists both players as the starters. Kelly has stated numerous times that this is an open competition. Obviously he wants to see how Vick and Foles react in a live-game situation, something the two have gotten s small taste of going up against the Patriots’ first-team defense.
“I’ve never been a part of anything like this,” Foles said. “It’s a great experience to go against someone else and see different looks in a practice situation.”
Under Andy Reid, Eagles starters usually played only in the first quarter before giving way to the backups. On Wednesday, Kelly wouldn’t commit to his plan.
“That is kind of the model, but there’s got to be some flexibility between that,” Kelly said. “I guess those are more guidelines than rules.”
