NFL Rumors: 5 Options at Backup QB for Eagles Not Named Kevin Kolb

Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb each have the same percent chance of backing up Michael Vick next year: zero.

The Philadelphia Eagles have their franchise quarterback in Vick, and with a win-now mindset, they'll basically auction off Kolb to the highest bidder.  If the offers continue to be as high as rumors say (Dominique Rodger-Cromartie for example), the right swap could catapult the Eagles into Super Bowl contention.

A Kolb trade, though, would create a hole at backup quarterback that would need to be filled.  Brett Favre was linked to the Eagles before Fox Sports' Jay Glazer tweeted that two inside sources gave him "an emphatic no" on the signing.

If Philly is indeed telling the truth, here are five quarterbacks not named Brett Favre that could replace Kevin Kolb as Michael Vick's backup: 

5. Billy Volek

Billy Volek is a very capable backup quarterback.  The 35-year-old veteran has taken regular season snaps in just 13 games over past six years, but he’s been solid when given an opportunity.

He has a career passer rating of 84.9, which is much better than Kevin Kolb’s 73.2 career rating.  Volek also has a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 27 to 15, again, far better than Kolb’s 11 touchdown passes to 14 interceptions.  His best year as a pro was back in 2004, when he threw for 2,486 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans despite only starting eight games.

Actually, looking back on his career, you have to wonder what he could’ve done if given a chance to actually start for a full season.  Like Brett Favre, Volek would play just long enough for Mike Kafka to develop into a quality number two quarterback.

4. Tarvaris Jackson

A Minnesota Vikings-passer not named Favre, or as Michael Vick would say, Favre is a realistic option as the Eagles second-string quarterback.  Unlike Billy Volek, Tarvaris Jackson has been given plenty of chances to prove he can be a starter in the NFL, but he’s failed each time.  In 2008 and 2009 as a backup, though, Jackson recorded passer ratings of 95.4 and 113.4 on the two years.

Those numbers show he is a more than capable backup.  With Jackson’s Vick-like playing style, there’s an outside chance, a very, very outside chance, that he could eventually replace Vick as the Eagles starting signal caller if he could learn a thing or two from the greatest duel-threat quarterback in the history of the game.

Far more important than that slight-potential, the Eagles would be able to run the same game plan with Jackson in the game because of his athletic ability.

3. Bruce Gradkowski

Bruce Gradkowski is not only a quality backup, but he could start for a couple of teams in the NFL.  The Polish Cannon has managed to win football games over the years with less than mediocre talent around him.

Back in 2009, Gradkowski led the Oakland Raiders to a stunning 27-24 upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers throwing for 308 yards in the game outdueling Ben Roethlisberger.  Gradkowski threw three touchdowns in the final quarter, including an 11-yarder to rookie Louis Murphy with 15 seconds left on the clock.

The Pennsylvania native had never put up huge numbers, but he just finds ways to win.  Of course, he’s never had weapons like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and LeSean McCoy to get the ball to either.

2. Marc Bulger

Another PA-native in Marc Bulger is the most likely veteran option for the Eagles to look to.  The 34-year-old passer backed up Joe Flacco last season in Baltimore and looks content with finishing his career as a backup so a lesser role wouldn’t be a problem.

The best season of Bulger’s career came in 2006, as he threw for 4,301 yards and 24 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in St. Louis.  That happened to be his last great season in the league, though, as injuries and a horrendous offensive-line ended what time he had left in his prime.  The two-time Pro Bowler still has a bit left in the tank and would be a great mentor for Mike Kafka.

An entire year off should do him some good, as he’ll be going into 2011 100 percent healthy.

1. Terrelle Pryor

Three Pennsylvania natives in a row!

Philadelphia would be the ideal spot for Pryor to land.  He loves Michael Vick, he’s a scrambling quarterback like Vick and even more important than all of that, Vick would be the perfect mentor for Pryor to be able to overcome his past mistakes (yeah, haters, the perfect mentor).  If Pryor has any hope to succeed in the NFL, it would be in Philly, where he not only has Vick, but plenty of weapons around him. 

But enough about what the Eagles could do for Pryor because after all, they have to do what’s in their best interest.  Unlike all the other players on this list, Pryor would have the opportunity to make an instant impact as an offensive weapon in special packages. 

He has no ceiling, period, but he doesn’t just have unlimited potential in one position though.  With his athleticism, he could end up playing quarterback, wide receiver, tight end or even safety.  Obviously, there’s risk involved with picking Pryor, but you have to look at the upcoming year like this:

No backup quarterback they add will be able to lead them to a Super Bowl if Vick gets hurt.  The only way they can go all the way is if he stays healthy, and knowing that, Pryor is the only quarterback out there that could add to their offense with Vick in the game.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.