Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

SWANSON | Did Nick Foles Win Himself a Starting Job in 2018?

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Foles was downright sensational, as he threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns and even a receiving touchdown. His Super Bowl performance came just two weeks after he shredded the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, which was the best in the NFL this year.

No one can understate the monumental nature of Foles’ recent performances, but these accomplishments beg the question: Did he do enough to win a starting quarterback job in 2018?

The most important element of this question is assessing how good a quarterback Foles actually is. On the whole, Foles has been merely adequate throughout his six-year career. Aside from this season’s playoffs, Foles played his best football in 2013, when he threw for a record-setting 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. At the time, Foles was regarded as an up-and-coming quarterback. Yet, after stops with the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, it became apparent Foles was far from a franchise quarterback.

Earlier this season, Eagles fans resigned themselves to the belief that their Super Bowl aspirations were ruined after MVP candidate Carson Wentz tore his ACL in December. At the time, no one expected Foles to be a savior — and rightfully so. His play in the four regular season games after Wentz’s injury ranged from competent to terrible.

Perhaps Foles’ playoff success was the result of greater familiarity with the offensive scheme or an increase in confidence. At the very least, Foles demonstrated he can succeed in the right circumstances. Thus, he should be regarded as a competent quarterback who can help a team win, rather than lauded as a franchise-altering talent.

This characterization limits the list of potential teams that should try to acquire Foles. Ideally, such teams should be ones with a strong supporting cast focused on winning now.

Some potential teams include the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings who —  depending on whether they re-sign any of their quarterbacks —  may lack a quarterback, but will be vying for a playoff spot in 2018. These teams may be best suited to forego trying to draft a young, developing quarterback; instead, they can acquire a veteran, in the hopes of contending immediately. As a result, Foles represents a credible option for the teams that miss out on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes.

Foles has also been rumored as an option for teams in the middle of a rebuilding process, such as the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns. However, these teams are relatively inept on the offensive side of the ball and appear to lack a sufficient number of playmakers who would enable Foles to be successful. Furthermore, though Foles may provide temporary stability, he does not appear to be a long-term option for franchises trying to find their quarterbacks for the next 10 to 15 years. These teams are better served by selecting a quarterback in the draft to groom as the next face of the franchise.

Despite the interest of potential suitors, the Eagles have the ability to determine where Foles will play next year, as he has one year remaining on his contract. Yet, their decision is complicated by Wentz’s recovery from injury. Wentz is expected to return for the start of the regular season, but if he is unable to do so, Foles would be a quality replacement while Wentz fully recovers.

If the Eagles are confident in both Wentz’s recovery timeline and their ability to find another adequate backup, they should certainly explore the trade market for Foles. Foles would provide more value as a starter for another team than as a backup on the Eagles.

As a result, the Eagles could receive a significant return for Foles in the form of a high draft pick — likely in the second or third round — or an ascending player. Such a trade would provide Foles the opportunity to build upon his majestic playoff run, while enabling the Eagles to augment their incredibly talented championship roster.

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