Eagles Now Expected to Pick Up 2019 Option for Nick Foles

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Philadelphia fans have been absolutely thrilled to hear conflicting reports almost daily on what is happening with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado this offseason. While those reports have tapered off in recent weeks, another conflicting report has emerged, this time on Nick Foles.

Earlier this week, there were reports circulating that the Eagles were planning to let Nick Foles walk in free agency. On Saturday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network contradicted that story, saying that the Eagles are expected to pick up Foles’ $20 million option for 2019.

From Super Bowl Live: The #Eagles are expected to pick up the $20M option for QB Nick Foles, sources say. Not a surprise, but an important piece. What happens next will be intriguing. pic.twitter.com/FOpLeAhQu1

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2019

The Eagles would accept the option and likely look to trade Foles for more than the third-round pick they’d get for him in free agency. The idea of a trade has been gaining tractions since the quarterback needy Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Eagles quarterback coach John DeFilippo as their new offensive coordinator. This weekend, CBS suggested that Foles could be traded to the Jaguars for picks and/or Leonard Fournette, further advancing that idea.

Part of this decision for the Eagles likely has to do with the rule that each team can only get four compensatory pick each year. With players like Brandon Graham, Ronald Darby, Jordan Hicks and Golden Tate set to hit free agency with a chance at big contracts, the Eagles will likely have more than the maximum of four qualifying free agents departing. Essentially, accepting Foles’ option would give the Eagles a chance to trade Foles for something and allow them to receive an additional compensatory pick that would otherwise not come through if Foles left as a free agent.

Another part of the decision likely has to do with the $6.1 million the Eagles received from the NFLPA earlier this week as well as the $7.5 million they saved with Rodney McLeod’s restructure. The additional $13 million in space that they have created with just one restructure may have given the franchise confidence in how they can work the cap in the coming months.

If the team does pick up the option, Foles can pay the Eagles $2 million to void the contract and become a free agent. That is the most likely scenario. It is at that point that the Eagles could choose to franchise tag Foles ($25 million) and both the team and Foles would have a say in where he gets traded as the quarterback could simply choose not to sign the tag unless he is sent somewhere he approves.