He refuses to treat it like it’s a big deal, even though it could be the difference between playing football for a living and sitting at home watching it on television. Quarterback Trent Edwards has to know what an important opportunity this is for him, even as he tries his best to downplay it.

Edwards will play the final three quarters on Thursday night when the Eagles wrap up the preseason against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. None of the Eagles starters will play, which gives on-the-bubble players like Edwards one final chance to make a good impression on the Eagles or some other NFL team.

That last part is important, as coach Andy Reid pointed out. Even if players don’t make the Eagles’ final roster, other teams will be watching film of Thursday night’s preseason game and, as they say in football, the eye in the sky doesn’t lie.

“It’s a competiton,’’ Reid said. “So you tell them to seize the moment and enjoy the opportunity.’’

That’s what Edwards plans to do. He started 33 games in four seasons with the Bills, but was out of football last year until he signed with the Eagles on Feb. 23. He was the No. 4 QB during most of training camp, until Nos. 1 and 2 – Michael Vick and Mike Kafka – got injured.

Rookie quarterback Nick Foles benefitted the most from that and he played well enough that Reid said on Tuesday that Foles is his new No. 2 QB. But Edwards also got to play a lot more in the preseason and he’s played well, so much so that he could push Kafka out of the picture completely.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Edwards could play well enough against the Jets to interest another team in a league desperate for quarterbacks. However, that’s not his focus.

“I’m here to make this team – that’s been my goal from the beginning and it’s still my goal,’’ Edwards said. “So, I’m not going to approach this game any differently than any other game. I’m excited about the opportunity to play, but I’m not going out there like I have something to prove to somebody. I just have to do my job and after that, whatever happens, happens.’’

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSSportsNFLPHI.