As Nick Foles prepares to start yet another playoff game for the Philadelphia Eagles, the backstory is almost as intriguing as his success on the field.
Philadelphia holds a $20 million option on Foles’ contract for next season. Foles can free himself of the deal and become a free agent by paying back $2 million of his 2018 bonus. The Eagles could also decide to place the franchise tag on the reigning Super Bowl MVP — trading him in the process.
What we do know is that there’s going to be a substantial amount of interest in the quarterback’s services once the playoffs conclude.
According to this note from Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman, at least one person around the NFL believes that Foles could ultimately end up with the Raiders and Jon Gruden.
“There is already rampant speculation about where Foles will end up,” Freeman reported. “One scout believes Raiders coach Jon Gruden will use some of the booty from the Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper trades (two first-rounders for Mack and one for Cooper) to make the Eagles an offer they can’t refuse.”
Wouldn’t that be interesting? Oakland technically has a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr. But as we noted in a piece earlier this week, the team’s rebuild might very well not include Carr after he struggled in his first season under Gruden.
Gruden himself has in the past sought his own quarterback. The Buccaneers had nine different starters in his seven seasons as head coach.
Even being linked to Foles is a clear indication that the Raiders are at least thinking about a change at quarterback.
Boasting three first-round picks, the team certainly has the capital to make a move for Foles should he either remain under contract in Philadelphia or the team decides to franchise the veteran. In turn, Carr would then be placed on the trade block.
Now that Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins has declared for the draft and reigning Heisman winner Kyler Murray will follow suit, that’s another avenue for the Raiders to pursue.
As it is, this entire Foles thing will be the talk of the NFL during the offseason. Should he lead Philly to a win over the Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, that will be taking to a whole new level.