Chances Philadelphia backup quarterback Nick Foles has played his last game in an Eagles jersey seem pretty likely. Oddsmaker Bovada has Foles as a -1200 choice to play for any other team beside Philadelphia, while staying with the Eagles is at +600.
There are several reasons Foles time in Philly is probably over, despite winning a Super Bowl for the city’s fans in 2018. The first is his potential salary. Foles is in an option year and if Philadelphia picks up the option they are on the hook for $20.6 million in 2019. That would put them over the luxury tax by about $12 million.
Trading Foles is an option, so is not picking up his contract. That would allow Foles to become a free agent and sign a new, potentially more lucrative deal. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said they have not discussed any player’s future, but did say they would like to have both Wentz and Foles on the team.
“I wouldn’t know of a team that wouldn’t want Nick Foles on their roster,†Roseman said. “There’s no question we love having Nick Foles as an Eagle and would love to keep him.â€
Desire to Start
With leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl win in 2018, and to the divisional playoffs this year, Foles has proven he can be an every down quarterback in the NFL. It is another reason why his time in Philadelphia could be over.
He is the second stringer when Carson Wentz is healthy. Wentz’s bad luck the last two years, receiving season-ending injuries, has given Foles a taste of leading a team, and he believes he is ready to do that.
After the team’s playoff loss to New Orleans, Foles sounded like a man who knew his future was elsewhere.
“We’ll see what happens, but I’ll tell you this, I’ve enjoyed every single moment and it’ll always have a special place in my heart,†Foles said about Philadelphia. “The city, the fans, the people, everything about it. There’s nothing like playing in the Linc. Some of my favorite moments, my family got to experience some. My daughters got to experience them. So we’ll see what happens, but I’ve enjoyed everything.”
Miami Favorite to Land Foles
With the chance of him supplanting Wentz nil, it is more advantageous for him to ply his trade somewhere else. Where he goes, however, is the subject of rabid speculation by oddsmakers and the media.
BetDSI has the Miami Dolphins as the favorite to land Foles at +200. The team had issues at quarterback last season and Foles could fit in nicely with the offense.
The Washington Redskins are the next pick at +250. The team saw starter Alex Smith go down with a horrific broken leg, that was further complicated by an infection that nearly caused an amputation. How long it takes Smith to return is up in the air, and Foles would be the perfect insurance policy.
Jacksonville at +350 could be the dark horse. The team is expected to announce the hiring of John DeFilippo as the offensive coordinator. He and Foles worked together in Philadelphia when DeFilippo was the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles.