Christian Hackenberg is returning to Pennsylvania, this time for another shot at the NFL.
The former Penn State quarterback has signed with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The #Eagles are signing QB Christian Hackenberg, source said. Not a reflection on health of Wentz/Foles or anything else — just a chance to try developing another QB with talent, as they have with Nate Sudfeld.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 12, 2018
Hackenberg was a second round pick in 2016 by the New York Jets, but never saw a regular season snap during in his two seasons there and was active for only one game. The Jets added No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason and traded Hackenberg to the Oakland Raiders in May.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden had spoken highly of Hackenberg in the past, but the 23-year-old QB was cut from the Oakland roster two weeks later.
In Philadelphia, Hackenberg becomes the fifth quarterback on the preseason roster. With Carson Wentz and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles at the top of the depth chart, Nate Sudfeld is the likely No. 3. Hackenberg’s best shot at sticking in Philadelphia would seem to be with the practice squad, where he would need to overtake Joe Callahan, who did not play well in the Eagles preseason loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Hackenberg was a five-star prospect out of Virginia’s Fork Union Military Academy when he signed with Penn State in the 2013 class, staying with his commitment to coach Bill O’Brien and the Nittany Lions even after the NCAA leveled sanctions. A three-year starter, Hackenberg set a school record with 8,457 career passing yards and threw for 48 touchdowns, another Penn State mark that was surpassed in 2017 by Trace McSorley.
