Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles Trade Scenario

Dec 28, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) rushes for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Scenario One: Bring in a Veteran
To be fair, the most likely veteran options would be quarterbacks drafted in the same year as Foles who have not yet realized their potential with their current team.
Names that fit this category are: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Brandon Weeden.

Robert Griffin III is a curious option, because he has the tools to make a Chip Kelly offense run.  Over the past two years, he’s throw 20 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, and 4,897 yards.  But the intriguing part many will point to is the chance he will run with the ball.  In the last two years, he’s rushed 124 times for 665 yards.   That kind of production does force the defense to consider him as a run threat.

Kirk Cousins, his counterpart in Washington, has been given opportunities to succeed at quarterback of the Washington Redskins, but so far has not won over either set of coaches he’s played for.  He’s throw for 14 touchdowns,  16 interceptions,  and 2,564 yards.

Brandon Weeden is another option from the class of 2012 who could be had.  But his 12 touchdown, 11 interception, and 2,034 yards over the past two years would make you question why would we?

As far as other veteran options? That list is topped by Mark Sanchez, so there is less of a chance of finding an upgrade from that group.   All players who are likely to be free agents are there because they have not met the expectations of their former team, or simply have priced themselves out of the market.  Yes, there could be that diamond in the rough out there.  But having seen how easily Sanchez learned the Eagles offense, and yet how “ho-hum” the season went after he took it over, I no longer believe the Eagles offense is a plug and play version of any quarterback.

The reason?  NFL systems require trust and knowledge of a quarterback and a receiver to know exactly what the other will do in the fast pace during the game.   In honesty, the only receiver Nick Foles has had much history with in 2014 was Riley Cooper.   Jeremy Maclin was out in 2013 due to injury, Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff were rookies.   It showed on the field.

It got no better under Mark Sanchez, as he was himself in his first season in an Eagles uniform.   Wide receivers take time to mature in the NFL, because they have to build that trust.   The Philadelphia Eagles, with many roster changes on offense, are still building those relationships.