Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was bound to take at least a small step back this season. Foles played in 13 games last season and threw 27 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions. His passer rating was 119.2. Most of us knew that wasn’t sustainable, but did the Eagles expect the former Arizona star to keep it up?
According to Mark Eckel of NJ.com, Foles’ long-term future with the Eagles was in doubt before he suffered a broken collarbone against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Eckel sites sources who claim the Eagles front office, including GM Howie Roseman, had “soured” on Foles this year.
“I think Howie is looking at quarterbacks,” one source reportedly said. “He’s kind of soured on Foles, and I don’t think he’s alone. The organization isn’t sold that he’s the guy going forward.”
Foles had compiled a passer rating of 81.5 prior to his injury. He had also thrown 10 interceptions in seven-plus games, including three starts where he threw multiple interceptions. But still, the Eagles are 6-2 and in first place in the NFC East.
It should be noted that Chip Kelly did not draft Foles. Kelly re-signed Michael Vick as soon as he was hired as Eagles coach last year and then traded up to draft Matt Barkley in the fourth round.
“Let’s just say the way things were going, he wasn’t going to get a contract extension that’s for sure,” a separate source told NJ.com before Foles got hurt. “Now, if he has a big second half, that could change.”
Foles is expected to miss as many as six games, so he’s not going to have a big second half. If Sanchez plays well enough to lead the Eagles to the playoffs, Foles probably won’t get his job back.
That said, Foles is only 25 and in his third NFL season. Given the way he played in 2013, hasn’t he earned the benefit of the doubt on some level? I suppose we’ll find out when his collarbone heals.
