New York Jets: Should Nick Foles be on trade radar?
The New York Jets need an upgrade at the quarterback position. Should they trade for Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles?
The New York Jets have an important decision to make. It deals with the Super Bowl LII MVP. The 2017 NFL season was quite a magical one for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. After taking over for Carson Wentz in Week 14, the six-year veteran led the Birds to their first Super Bowl title with a thrilling 41-33 triumph over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Foles threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns and added a one-yard touchdown reception. It was a virtuoso performance and the University of Arizona product was quite deserving of being named the Super Bowl MVP. I wouldn’t be surprised if they erected a statue of Foles in Philadelphia right next to Rocky Balboa. He’ll be a hero there forever.
That begs the question: should the quarterback-needy Jets attempt to trade for Foles? He just turned 29 and is coming off one of the greatest post-season performances in league history.
The answer is very simple: No.
First of all, Gang Green would have to trade one of their second-round picks this year (Nos. 37 or 49 overall) in order to acquire Foles. They have so many needs that they simply can’t part with draft capital like that. It’s much too pricey. Draft choices are like gold for the Jets.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
What’s more, Foles had a special playoff campaign (6-1 TD-INT ratio, 115.7 passer rating), but did he just get red-hot at the right time or is this something he can sustain over a 16-game regular season? Remember, he played poorly for the Rams in 2015 and was a backup for the Chiefs in 2016. He had a tremendous season with the Eagles in 2013 (27 TD, 2 INT) in 10 games as the starte,r but the odds of playing at that level again are very remote.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson is a former NFL quarterback. He’s also known as an offensive guru that installed a scheme that suited Foles’ strengths. The RPO (Run-Pass Option) fit Foles like a glove. Do you think Foles would have the same success under Todd Bowles? No way. Bowles is not exactly known as an offensive mastermind.
Part of Foles’ success is based on the offensive talent around him. Alshon Jeffrey, Nelson Agholor and Zack Ertz are much better skill position players than anything the Jets have (at least for now).
Then there’s the fact that Foles is slated to make $7 million total this year. If he is traded to the Jets, he’d want to sign an extension and receive a hefty raise. He’s not worth a four-year, $60 million pact in my estimation.
Finally, Wentz tore his ACL and LCL in Philadelphia’s Week 14 victory over the Rams. That’s a very serious injury and there is no guarantee he’ll be back in time for the Eagles 2018 season opener. I think the Birds would be crazy to trade Foles. He’s a superb backup and a great insurance policy in case Wentz isn’t ready to resume his duties as starter.
Next: Nick Foles: 10 Possible trade destinations in 2018
Foles enjoyed a postseason for the ages. It’s one of the great stories in recent NFL history. With that being said, the Jets would be much better off signing Kirk Cousins as a free agent, keeping their draft picks and inking a free agent or two to improve their roster. It makes the most sense.