The best backup quarterback in Eagles history: Nick Foles
Was there was any other possible choice?
Nick Foles’ story as a backup quarterback with the Eagles is two-fold. When he took over for Michael Vick in 2013, he ran Chip Kelly’s offense shockingly well. He would throw 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, the best ratio in NFL history. That helped the Eagles win the NFC East.
His 119.0 passer rating was also the third-best in league history, and it included a seven-touchdown game against the Oakland Raiders and a Pro Bowl nod and MVP honor for that game. Then, for some reason, Chip Kelly, traded him for Sam Bradford.
Then came 2017. Foles came back that offseason. Few thought he would have much of an impact, but his number was, indeed, called. He’d take over for MVP front-runner Carson Wentz in Week 14 and complete the Jeff Hostetler routine, capturing the team’s first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Foles would have one of the best playoffs runs ever for a quarterback, culminating in a Super Bowl MVP award. He would take over for Wentz again the following year, and lead the Eagles to the playoffs against improbable odds and help them earn a playoff win again against the Chicago Bears. Only this time, Philly couldn’t complete the fairy tale.
Still, with all this considered, Foles isn’t the just the clear-cut best backup quarterback in Eagles history, He’s one of the best quarterbacks in Eagles history and, arguably, the best backup quarterback in the history of the NFL.