Eagles to sign QB Chase Daniel

The Eagles and former Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel agreed to a three-year contract that will become official at 4 p.m. when the new league year opens, an NFL source said.

ESPN was first with the report.

The addition of Daniel comes with little surprise. There had been speculation that new coach Doug Pederson may have even wanted to bring in Daniel to hold down the starting quarterback spot before the Eagles signed Sam Bradford.

But Daniel will play a customary role for the Eagles in 2016 -- as the backup to Bradford. What does that mean for Mark Sanchez? More than likely, Sanchez is out. The Eagles were trying to deal him before free agency opened, league sources said, but that was always going to be tough to pull off with Sanchez carrying a $5.5 salary cap hit.

If the Eagles release Sanchez, they will clear $3.5 million from their cap.

Daniel, 29, has seven years of NFL experience but has thrown only 77 career passes. He first backed up Drew Brees in New Orleans for four seasons and then Alex Smith for the last three in Kansas City. The 6-foot, 225-pound Daniel should be able to come in and help the other quarterbacks learn Pederson's West Coast-based offense.

The Eagles still can draft a quarterback, although the Daniel signing might make it less likely they take one in the first round.