Chip Kelly compares Marcus Mariota to Peyton Manning

Chip Kelly appeared on ESPN's broadcast prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night. (Kelly is attending the game, as are a number of Eagles scouts.)

To no surprise, Kelly was about his former Oregon Ducks quarterback, Marcus Mariota. To say the Philadelphia Eagles couldn't stop gushing over the Heisman award-winning redshirt junior would be putting it lightly. Here are just a few of the things Kelly had to say.

Chip on Oregon’s wide receivers, via @BarbaraTitus: "As long as they have [Mariota], it doesn’t really matter."

Chip on Mariota, via @dpbrugler: "He might be the fastest guy on the field. But his mind is even faster...thinks like Peyton Manning."

...Peyton Manning! People just don't go around throwing Peyton Manning comps around like it's nothing. That's some serious praise.

Then again, it would be a surprise to see Kelly do anything else than to talk up his former player. Still, you can't help but think Kelly would love a shot at reuniting Mariota, especially given Philadelphia's unclear quarterback situation.

The only problem is, of course, that Mariota might not be available. The Eagles pick No. 20 in the draft and there are many teams ahead of them that will be potentially interested in the Oregon quarterback's talent.

Some have suggested Mariota might not be drafted very high, however. Last week ESPN's Trent Dilfer suggested Mariota could drop. On Monday night, Dilfer stated he wouldn't pick Mariota before pick No. 15. I'm sure Kelly would love for that to happen.