NFL Preseason 2018: 20 bold predictions for Week 2

20. Hackenberg performs better than expected

With Carson Wentz and Nick Foles resting against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Philadelphia Eagles got to see what Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan were capable of during the first week of preseason action. And while Sudfeld certainly showed potential to be the backup of the future when Foles is no longer around, Callahan’s performance was basically a disaster.

Whether the team wants to admit it or not, it’s safe to say that part of the decision by the Eagles to sign Christian Hackenberg this week was a result of the play by Callahan since having extra depth at quarterback can’t hurt in the preseason. But when looking at how Hackenberg wasn’t even capable of earning a starting spot on a team that used to be in desperate need of help at quarterback in the New York Jets, this decision by Philadelphia was certainly a questionable one.

Then again, when looking at how these last couple of months have been for the former Penn State quarterback, Hackenberg could be playing with a little extra motivation against the New England Patriots. By joining his third team since the end of last season, Hackenberg knows his options are limited if things don’t work out with the Eagles, so maybe he’ll end up playing better than expected on Thursday.