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Does Nick Foles deserve to have his number retired by Philadelphia Eagles?

By Alex DeMarzo

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Nick Foles leads the Philadelphia Eagles against the Oakland Raiders
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs out of the pocket to make a 20-yard pass against the Oakland Raiders on November 3, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Eagles won 49-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

A Star is Born

During Foles’ rookie season, he didn’t see any game action until Week 10 when starting quarterback Michael Vick was knocked out of the game (and ultimately the season). ‘9’ would go on to struggle. Foles finished the season with a 1 – 5 record, a 79.1 passer rating, six touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Still, in his lone victory, Foles provided fans with a glimpse of his potential. He rallied the Eagles to victory from a 21-10 deficit in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns came with under four minutes remaining in the game.

Foles’ 381 yards set a franchise rookie record for most pass yards in single game.

Despite a weak rookie season, Foles entered the 2013 season like a man on a mission. No. 9 had a magical season that many quarterbacks dream of, but very few accomplish.

In only his ninth career start, he cemented his name in the record books by putting on a clinic against the Oakland Raiders. Foles completed 79 percent of his passes, threw for 406 yards, and tossed seven touchdowns.

Foles became the second Eagles player and only the seventh (now eight) quarterback to throw seven touchdowns in a single game. He joined the likes of Peyton Manning, Y.A. Tittle, Joe Kapp, George Blanda, Adrian Burk (the Eagles quarterback from 1951 – 1956), and Sid Luckman.

Foles, Manning, and Tittle are the only quarterbacks to throw seven touchdowns with zero interceptions during a single game in NFL history. Although, Foles is the only quarterback to achieve this feat before the start of the fourth quarter.

Check out the highlights from Foles’ immaculate 7 TD game, courtesy of NFL’s official YouTube page.

It would only take a few weeks for Foles to land in the record books again. This time he set the franchise record for completion percentage in a single game.

During the Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Foles completed 84 percent of his passes (21 of 25). Which he would soon break over the course of his career. More on that later.

Foles finished the year by completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,891 yards. He posted a 27 touchdowns to only two interceptions ratio. The 27 – 2 touchdown to interception ratio is still the best among any quarterback in NFL history. In addition, he is the only quarterback to throw 20+ TDs with no more than two INTs.

Foles’ overall season passer rating of 119.2 ranks first among all quarterback in franchise history and third all-time in NFL history behind Aaron Rodgers (122.5) and Peyton Manning (121.1).

The magic didn’t stop after the Eagles were booted out of the playoffs by the New Orleans Saints in their Wild Card game. Foles was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was awarded Pro Bowl MVP honors.

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