Should the Philadelphia Eagles Trade Nick Foles Away?
By Jesse Shuter
Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
Recent reports suggest that the St. Louis Rams have openly said that they would be interested in acquiring quarterback Nick Foles from the Eagles via trade. If you add this report to the numerous ones that Eagles head coach Chip Kelly will do what it takes to trade up and get the Oregon star quarterback Marcus Mariota, the puzzle pieces start to fit together to form a bigger picture. While in many ways it might make sense, should the Eagles trade Foles away?
The first thing that is important to establish is that there is no way the Eagles would trade Foles away unless they have just drafted a quarterback like Mariota or Baylor’s Bryce Petty, or someone else. Trading Foles would leave the Eagles without a viable starting quarterback and many more problems to deal with.
Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The next thing to figure out is what can the Eagles possibly even get for Nick Foles. To understand his value let’s look back into history at a very similar situation. Of course I am talking about when the Denver Broncos traded a 25 year old quarterback named Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. The situation here is extremely similar to the situation the Eagles face with Foles. Cutler was a young quarterback who showed flashes of elite talent, he had been to a pro bowl, and the only reason for him even being on the market was not fitting well with his head coach.
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Foles is only 26 years old, he had a historic season in 2013 that was capped off by an incredible pro bowl performance, and has the potential to take a team to the super bowl. I personally think that the team he should take should be the Eagles, and I also believe that the only reason for his regression in 2014 was his mentor and former Eagles quarterback coach Bill Lazor leaving to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. However, if the Eagles can pull in a haul like the Broncos did for Jay Cutler, and Chip Kelly feels that Mariota is the best quarterback he can possibly find then it may be worthwhile.
January 26, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Sanders quarterback Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles (9) passes the football during warm ups before the 2014 Pro Bowl against Team Rice at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos traded Cutler and a fifth round pick to the Bears in exchange for two first round picks and a third round pick. The difference is how Cutler was valued at the time, he was thought of as a top quarterback in the league and Nick Foles does not have the same ranking. Teams could argue that Foles is not the quarterback that Cutler was then, but I would beg to differ.
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Foles has every bit as much talent now as Cutler did then, and I see no reason the Eagles should not be able to ask for the same price the Broncos did. If for some reason none of the rumored “several” teams interested in Foles are willing to pay that price then the Eagles should hold onto Foles. If they get this haul then they can flip the picks and maybe throw in an extra third or give a second round pick instead to get Mariota.
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The next question is, even if we get Marcus Mariota, do we no longer need Nick Foles? The past two years the Eagles have needed their backup quarterback to step up and make a push for the playoffs. Only one of these two years did that happen, and that was when Foles took the reigns. I believe that either Foles or Mariota could benefit from some time on the bench. Also if we have Nick Foles it minimizes the risk of drafting Mariota.
What is more valuable, keeping your draft picks and giving up much less to get the quarterback that may or may not be your team’s future, or having a proven commodity as your backup to significantly minimize the risk and insure that your team is not in danger of collapsing? That is question that Chip Kelly needs to put some serious thought into. Keep in mind, do you really want to see Nick Foles lift the Lombardi Trophy in a Rams uniform?