If you want to call it a controversy, go ahead. Even before Nick Foles went down with a broken collarbone this season, many questioned his ability to be the answer for this team at quarterback. It has been no surprise that Chip Kelly and the Eagles are thinking about Marcus Mariota, but getting high enough in the draft seems almost impossible.
That being said, if the Eagles do find a way to trade up to get Mariota, what will happen to Nick Foles? Though we may not be crossing that bridge just yet, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, some suitors have surfaced with interest in the Eagles quarterback, specifically the Rams.
According to a person familiar with the situation, but who requested anonymity, the St. Louis Rams have interest in Foles should the Eagles decide to trade him this offseason.
Foles' possible availability was a topic of conversation among coaches and scouts last week at the Senior Bowl, with the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans also mentioned as teams that would have interest if Foles hit the market.
Sure, Foles wasn't as good this past year as he was during the season prior, but a slight regression was expected. He still has great numbers, tossing 46 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions, while completing over 61% of his passes. In 2013 he threw 27 touchdowns and two picks. This season, he threw 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions before getting hurt. Even with his limited stats this year, Foles is thought of pretty highly around the league.
"Love him," one NFL coach said of Foles. "Right now I would put him in the second or third tier of quarterbacks, but I think he is right on the cusp of being in the top tier at the position."
Coming off 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 2013, Foles finished with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight games last season before fracturing his collarbone, an injury that would cost him the remainder of the season.
"A dropoff was expected," said an NFC scout. "I wouldn't be too concerned if I was Chip (Kelly). I think he'll be fine."
Foles gets credit from folks around the league, but it still isn't quite clear as to what Chip Kelly thinks of Nick, especially with it being public knowledge of his interest in Mariota. At the end of the season, Kelly said the team would "evaluate everything", opting against committing to Foles moving forward. We all know Nicks' attitude though. No matter the speculation, he said he plans to be here next season, leading his team to wins.
"I expect to be back here," Foles said. "I expect to be the quarterback. I love my teammates, and I expect to be back out there leading them and winning some games. I'm excited to come back better than I ever have bee
Foles enters the 2015 with just one-year remaining on his contract. There has been no indication either way from the Eagles in terms of a contract extension with him.
