St. Louis Rams: Nick Foles Agrees To Contract Extension
By Matt LaPan
Nick Foles has not yet taken a single game snap with the St. Louis Rams after being traded to the team during the offseason, yet Foles and the Rams have agreed to a contract extension that will keep the quarterback in St. Louis for the foreseeable future. The contract rumors started on Friday, and were confirmed by head coach Jeff Fisher following the Rams’ annual team scrimmage at Lindenwood University.
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“It was a productive week for us,” said Fisher via StLouisRams.com. “An especially productive day for us from this standpoint: we have agreed to terms and signed Nick Foles to a long-term contract to be our quarterback. We got it done just before practice, so we’ll make Nick available to you. My thought are it was important to us. We’ve seen enough.
We wanted to get a deal done that was good for both sides. I can’t thank (Rams Owner/Chairman) Stan (Kroenke) enough and the work that (Chief Operating Officer) Kevin (Demoff) and (Senior Assistant) Tony (Pastoors) and (General Manager) Les (Snead) did and Nick’s guys, (agent) David Dunn and those guys to get it done. We’re in good shape right now. Nick is excited, and I think once the players hear about it, they’ll be even more excited.”
Foles reiterated the excitement when he was asked about the extension. “Oh, I’m blessed,” Foles said. “I’m just really thankful to Mr. Kroenke, Coach Fisher, Les and Kevin for working through it. I’m thankful to be here, be with these guys, be with the Rams. Ever since I’ve been here, like I’ve said the team has opened their arms to me. The players here have been extremely welcoming, extremely helpful with just getting me going along. We still have a ways to go, but it really is an honor to be here and you know, to be wanted here.”
The two-year extension will keep Foles in St. Louis through the 2017 season. The deal is for $24.5 million with around $14 million guaranteed. With the extension, Foles will become a free Agent before the 2018 season, when he will 28 years old.
Aug 1, 2015; Earth City, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (5) at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
While Foles is yet to take a meaningful snap for the Rams, his skill set fits with the Rams skill players. With deep threats Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and Stedman Bailey on the outside, tight ends Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks patrolling the middle of the field and Tavon Austin as a multi-function player — Foles has the tools around him to be successful.
“Yeah, I mean when you’re the quarterback you’re one of the guys that everyone is going to look to automatically, so there’s definitely a leadership role that takes place,” Foles said. “But there are many leaders on this team that do a great job and that’s how you build a culture of a winning franchise. I can’t do it alone. There’s a lot of guys on this team that do a great job of working hard and keeping guys going. It’s a team game. I’m just a small piece of the puzzle.”
Foles has 24 career starts and has thrown for over 6,700 yards with 46 touchdowns. He has only thrown 17 interceptions in three years, which shows great upside. He has never played in more than 13 games, however, making him a risk to extend.
Next: St. Louis Rams: Wise to be careful with Todd Gurley
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