Teams in search of a quarterback are questioning Nick Foles’ ability to succeed long-term

Once again, quarterback-needy teams will take a look at Nick Foles to become their next starting quarterback for the upcoming season.

Here we go again; Another offseason spent wondering where some of the Philadelphia Eagles key players will end up. The Eagles have a handful of starters that are set to take on the free agency market in 2019. One of those players happens to be their 2017 Super Bowl MVP quarterback, Nick Foles. Although Foles has a mutual option on his contract that could keep him with the Eagles for $20 million, we have to assume that the Eagles are going to avoid coughing up that much money for a backup in 2019.

And yes, Nick Foles would be a backup in 2019 if he were to return to the Eagles. Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman have already confirmed that the Eagles will move forward with Carson Wentz under center as the future of this franchise. Nick Foles, well, he will have to take his talents elsewhere if he genuinely wants to start.

There are a ton of fans who believe that Foles, not Wentz should be the starting quarterback for the Eagles, but that’s a conversation for a different day. Just face it, Wentz is the quarterback, and there’s nothing anybody else can do about it.

So, with Foles looking for a starting opportunity once again, can we assume that he’s going to have a ton of demand in the free agency market, and or, trade market? Well, initially there was some belief that Foles would get ‘Reggie White-like’ attention in the offseason. But after two questionable playoff performances, it looks like there’s beginning to be a little bit of doubt surrounding Foles’ ability to succeed at quarterback long-term.

Teams are getting skeptical…

It’s pretty much NFL Draft season for the 28 teams that are no longer alive in the playoffs. Therefore, many scouts and executives are constantly on the road at NFL Draft events in search of their teams newest rookies. While college players are typically the focal point of these events, there’s always talks about what’s going to happen in the free agency market, and with trades. Clearly, Nick Foles’ name popped up more than a few times behind the scenes, and apparently, quarterback-needy teams see Foles as a top signing, but many are still skeptical.

"Nick Foles seems to be top of the list for any quarterback-needy team as we head into the offseason. Will Foles be an automatic savior for whomever he plays for in 2019? Many including myself are not so sure, and this belief is not meant to demean Foles. Several people tell me Foles was perfect for the role he filled the past two seasons – stepping in during the second half of the year – and may struggle being a 16-game starter. Others, including myself, believe the association, tutelage and partnership with Eagles coach Doug Pederson was priceless for Foles, and there’s no guarantee that will continue with another organization. In other words, Doug Pederson and the Eagles organization were vital to Foles’ success the past two years."

What should the Eagles do?

According to The Draft Network’s Tony Pauline, the perception about Foles is that he’s a top quarterback that will be available this season, but many believe that his success had a lot to do with Doug Pederson’s system in Philadelphia, which favored Foles when he was in. Not to mention, Foles has had two opportunities to start for an entire season before. The first time, he was injured halfway through the season and ruled out for the year. The second time, well, he didn’t look so hot and ended up on the bench and eventually released.

Looking back at last year’s offseason, it’s not all that shocking that teams remain skeptical. Last season, Foles finished the playoffs with a Super Bowl MVP accolade and played lights out on two of the NFL’s biggest stages. As the Eagles shopped him around in hopes of acquiring two first-round picks, only a couple of teams were interested and didn’t offer anywhere near what the Eagles were asking for. The highest bid was rumored to be a second-rounder from the Buffalo Bills.

Foles will get his third chance elsewhere, that’s not a question. But now the Eagles need to think long and hard about whether they want to take a gamble and pick up Foles option or tag him in hopes to get something in return via trade this offseason. With teams becoming skeptical of his ability to succeed long-term, we have to assume that the Eagles could more than likely get low-balled with offers. Picking up the option could damage the Eagles cap situation and make the offseason a lot more difficult for the front office. Maybe it’s best the Eagles let Foles walk off into the market and find the next team on his own.