It’s no secret that the Jacksonville Jaguars have at least listened to offers for veteran quarterback Nick Foles, who they signed to a massive contract just a year ago. According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, one of the teams they spoke with is one we suspected in the Jags’ division rivals: the Indianapolis Colts.
Per Garafolo, “draft pick compensation” was being discussed in the deal, too. However, the team ended up signing veteran Philip Rivers to a one-year deal worth $25 million.
From Free Agency Frenzy on @nflnetwork: Before signing Philip Rivers, the #Colts were working multiple QB options, including a potential trade with the #Jaguars for Nick Foles. pic.twitter.com/ntA5vYTbjT
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2020
This absolutely isn’t a shock that the Jags would reach out to their divisional rivals and is probably an indication of how bad they may want to part ways with the veteran. He has a connection with Indy’s head coach, Frank Reich, who was his offensive coordinator during his Super Bowl run with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the Colts off the quarterback market, there are still others who could want Foles’ services. One of those teams could be the Chicago Bears, who have two of Foles’ former coaches in Matt Nagy and John DeFilippo. Nagy coach Foles while with the Kansas City Chiefs and DeFilippo, of course, was his offensive coordinator with the Jags and quarterbacks coach with the Eagles.
With veteran quarterback Tom Brady set to sign with the Tampa Bay Bucs, the New England Patriots could be a team to watch as well. They may want a proven veteran to lead them in 2020 and his salary for the upcoming season wouldn’t be unreasonable for them as explained below.
Re: Teams considering Nick Foles
While the deal has 3 yrs, $57.25M remaining, what you’re essentially acquiring is a 1 yr, $15M+ fully GTD contract, w/ another $5M guaranteed in 2021.
The #Jaguars would take on $18.75M of dead cap ($3.3M saved). https://t.co/5tjkvNVhLY
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 16, 2020
Foles signed a massive four-year, $88 million deal (guaranteeing $45.1 million) with the Jags a year ago. However, he didn’t quite pan out as a broken collarbone sidelined him from most of Week 1 to Week 11 against the Colts. He was benched a few weeks after that return (Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers) in favor of surging rookie Gardner Minshew II after struggling to find his groove. In the end, the veteran finished the season 77-of-116 for 736 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks.
Time will tell what the Jags decide to do about Foles but their willingness to talk with the Colts, a divisional foe, about taking him is telling. It’s also telling of how they probably feel about Minshew’s potential as well.