Matt Barkley has said that he will "support" Chip Kelly's decision to name Michael Vick as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback for the 2013 NFL season.

Barkley, who was a fourth-round draft pick earlier this year, had taken snaps alongside Vick and Nick Foles during the NFC East side's quarterback competition in training camp.

The 22-year-old told the team's official website: "It was good to hear a decision, finally, to have a direction of where we're going with this team. I support Coach Kelly's decision. He is the head coach. He knows this offense best.

"Now, it's all about protecting the team and what we can do to make this team better. I trust his judgment. It's worked over the last couple of years as a head coach. I think it proved itself. We have a direction and we can move forward from here.

"You never know when your time is going to be called. It's a good reminder to keep competing like you could go in."

The Eagles play the Washington Redskins in the opening week of the regular season.