G.J.

Kinne

A 2012 undrafted free agent quarterback, Kinne eventually switched to wideout. He never appeared in a regular season game. Only 30, Kinne is moving on to the NFL after two years in the college coaching ranks.

Willis was just signed a month ago along with OT Stephon Heyer. A 26-game starter with Seattle from 2008-09, Willis hasn’t played a snap in two years. Undrafted out of Tulsa, Kinne has an incredible backstory. As a high schooler, Kinne’s father -- also the head coach -- survived a shooting by a deranged parent despite being given just a 10 percent chance to live.

Kinne originally attended Texas, but he transferred to Tulsa shortly after and threw for 9,472 yards and 81 scores. He signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent last year but was cut in June. Kinne is likely just a camp arm.

Kinne never had a realistic shot at a roster spot after Chip Kelly drafted Matt Barkley. A 2012 undrafted free agent, Kinne’s best-case scenario would be latching onto someone’s practice squad, but it’s unlikely.

Kinne wisely decided he wasn’t going to cut it as an NFL quarterback. He wants a chance to make the final roster as a receiver and special teams player.

Barkley and Kinne are splitting snaps with the third-team offense, and Kinne has reportedly looked “more efficient.” Nick Foles is running with the starters, obviously, while Mark Sanchez is handling all the reps with the twos. The Eagles are unlikely to give up on Barkley so soon, but he’s not impressing in non-contact practices where quarterbacks should look like the best players on the field.

And Barkley seems to acknowledge it. “I figure every chance you get to be on the field in front of an audience is a tryout of sorts,” he said, “whether it’s for your own team, your own self or for another team.” Mark Sanchez is locked in as Nick Foles’ backup, while Barkley and second-year UDFA G.J. Kinne have been splitting third-team reps. Barkley probably has the edge over Kinne if all things end up being equal, but he can’t afford to stink it up in preseason games.

Kinne transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver this offseason in an effort to make the final roster. Along with Kinne, Philadelphia cut CB Marc Anthony, S Brandan Bishop, C Mike Coccia, T Kevin Graf, DE Alfy Hill, WR Mike Johnson, OLB Dasman McCullum, WR Josh Reese, DE Jeremy Towns, TE Justin Tukes and OL Jared Wheeler. The Eagles have three more players to trim before Tuesday’s deadline.

Signed to a reserve/future contract after Week 17, Kinne has made zero regular season appearances. He’s currently the Eagles’ No. 4 quarterback, only ahead of Tim Tebow.

Kinne has been the Eagles’ practice squad QB for the last two seasons. “Kinne wants to try to make the team as a special teams player, maybe a receiver or running back, kind of a multi‑purpose player on the offensive side of the ball,” Kelly said. Tim Tebow has taken Kinne’s spot as the No. 4 QB behind Sam Bradford (ACL), Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.