Eagles’ Chip Kelly says Matt Barkley has improved this season

Former USC quarterbacks have taken over Philadelphia.

Mark Sanchez is preparing to start for the Eagles on Monday night against the Carolina Panthers in place of injured Nick Foles.

Matt Barkley will back-up Sanchez.

Barkley, a fourth-round draft choice in 2013, has not played this season.

“I think Matt has improved,” Coach Chip Kelly told reporters during a news conference this week. “He has worked very, very hard at it.”

The Eagles signed Sanchez in the off-season to create competition at the position, Kelly said.

“We have confidence in Matt, but we didn’t want to go in with just Nick and Matt,” he said.

Barkley completed 30 of 49 passes for 300 yards with four interceptions his rookie season.

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