Just released by the Los Angeles Rams, it’s not going to be long before Nick Foles is playing for another NFL team, as the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills are showing interest in the quarterback.
For all three teams, it’s a backup role in mind, and Foles isn’t expecting anything else. The Bills are starting Tyrod Taylor this season, the Vikings continue with Teddy Bridgewater, and the Cowboys with Tony Romo, hoping he stays healthy this season.
This puts Foles in place to compete with other backups for the numbers two role. The Vikings have Shaun Hill as the #2 QB behind Bridgewater. Hill is also a former Rams player. The Bills have rookie Cardale Jones and EJ Manuel behind Taylor, and the Cowboys actually have three backups right now: Rookie Dak Prescott, Kellen Moore and Jamiell Showers. Even without Foles, it’s unlikely the Cowboys keep all three backups on the roster, although last year’s quarterback problems forced them to dive deep into the depth chart, free agency and trades.
What about the Denver Broncos and New York Jets? Doesn’t seem that they’re in the picture. The Broncos are set with the three quarterbacks they have on the list now, with Mark Sanchez as the starter. Sanchez filled in for Foles when the latter was injured in the second half of the 2014 season. The Jets just signed (finally) Ryan Fitzpatrick, and probably don’t have more cap room to add Foles, with Geno Smith being the main backup to Fitzpatrick.
Foles was traded before the 2015 season to the Los Angeles Rams from the Philadelphia Eagles. He started in 11 games, completed a career low 56.4% of his passes, throwing 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, posting a 69 passer rating. He had his ups and downs in Philadelphia: A rough rookie campaign and missing half the season in 2014, but in 2013, Chip Kelly’s first year at the helm, he led the NFL in TD%, yards gained per attempt and passer rating, starting that year behind Michael Vick but quickly turning over. Maybe coming from the underdog position is better for Foles, who’ll be waiting for another opportunity to start for an NFL team.