After a mostly disastrous season with the Los Angeles Rams, Nick Foles seems to be available for trade, which could mean the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins could all be targeting him via trade to provide a high quality backup.
Foles started in 11 games for the Rams last season (went 4-7 in those games), completing a career low 56.4% of his throws with just 7 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. That’s quite the difference from his time under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia: Completing 61.9% of his throws with 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Most of those numbers come from a weirdly good 2013 season, followed by a worse half season in 2014.
Foles has quite the cap hit coming in 2016, which means it’s hard seeing him as a backup ($8.75 million). Cutting him isn’t very smart, buying a team only $0.75 million of cap relief. And while Jeff Fisher Foles will compete for a starting quarterback spot in 2016, almost everyone think that of all the quarterbacks on contract with teams, he is the most expendable when it comes to those who started last season. He has a decent track record, but it’s quite clear he’s not going to be THE guy for anyone right now.
It might take some contract reconstruction for it to happen, but there are a number of teams with an established player at quarterback who need a new backup. The Washington Redskins might be just one year removed from the change they made at quarterback, but Kirk Cousins is clearly their guy. And with Robert Griffin III on the trading block and the Rams interested him, Foles might have his second QB for QB trade in one year. The Eagles traded him to the Rams for Sam Bradford last season.
The Miami Dolphins are sticking with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, but backup Matt Moore, who is going to have plenty of teams interested in him over the offseason, is probably hitting free agency. He might want a team with a situation in which he can start, or at least compete, instead of being the automatic backup.
The Cowboys are staying with Tony Romo, who is going to have another surgery on his collarbone, but be ready for next season. Behind him it’s kind of a tossup. Last season was further proof to them regarding the importance of a backup quarterback who can carry the team and handle the pressure. While Foles might not be the best choice out there, he’s probably better than what the Cowboys had last season when they crashed to a last place finish in the NFC East.