May 21st, 2012 was a big day for the Philadelphia Eagles organization, As a young man named Nick Foles was drafted out of Arizona. Little did the organization know, He would create history years later. Foles started off as the Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback, who eventually took over for Michael Vick due to injury.
His journey started with an amazing season after he took over the starting job. Foles had a touchdown-interception ratio of 27/2 and led Philly to a NFC East title and a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Nick threw for under 200 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns in a loss, 26-24. After that season, fans believed he was the answer.
As the 2014 season began, Foles had Philly to a 6-2 start before suffering a season-ending injury in Houston. As the season went on, Philadelphia finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs. In March of 2015 Foles was traded to the St. Louis Rams, and many believed Philly lost a gem, but the real question is did they?
The Rams signed Foles to a two-year extension hoping everything would pan out as planned. Foles didn’t have the greatest success in St. Louis, in only putting up 2,052 yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions before getting benched for backup Case Keenum.
In July of 2016 Nick Foles was cut from the Rams. Many say it was because of Head Coach Jeff Fisher, but it was really because he didn’t produce like he was supposed to. Foles would shortly be signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as a backup to Alex Smith. Foles didn’t play much in Kansas City as many thought he would have.
As the offseason came around, the Chiefs let Foles walk. Foles contemplated retirement until he received a phone call from Philadelphia. In March of 2017, the Eagles brought Foles back to backup first round pick quarterback Carson Wentz.
As the Eagles were sitting high as the number one seed with a 11-2 record, Wentz tore his ACL in the week 14 game against the Rams. Nick took over and led Philly to a win after playing the rest of the game. Foles struggled the following weeks against the Giants, Raiders, and Cowboys. It was reported that Head Coach Doug Pederson had to go back to the 2013 film to find a way to get Nick to succeed since he couldn’t run the Wentz offense.
Foles struggles continued as the Eagles barely beat the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round. The Eagles walked right through the Vikings and punched their ticket to Super Bowl LII, and after a magical performance from Foles, where he made history. Foles went on to defeat Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots be named Super Bowl MVP.
As the 2018 season started, Foles got the call to start week 1 due to Wentz’s injury. Foles struggled against the Falcons in week 1 but the Birds still snuck out with a win. The Eagles traveled to Tampa Bay Week 2 and Foles played decent after putting up 334 yards and one passing touchdown, but fell short 27-21.
The Eagles made the call to bench Foles due to Wentz being cleared to play. In December, Foles was named the starter after Philly shut down Wentz for the season. Foles ended up saving the Eagles season and sending them to the playoffs.
Foles’ season ended with a Divisional Round loss to the Saints where Foles struggled throwing 2 INTS in the loss.
The Eagles let the Foles test the market and he ended up signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars for four years and $88 million. Will Foles succeed in Jacksonville?
That remains to be seen, but the Jaguars offense is a lot different than the Eagles and a whole different system. Will Foles be able to pick it up and live up to his contract.
That’s the question that now needs to be answered down in Duval County.