NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Grading the Nick Foles signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars

By Cody Williams

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars will sign Nick Foles in 2019 NFL free agency, paying the quarterback handsomely. Good deal or bad deal?

After a disastrous 2018 season, it was clear that the Jacksonville Jaguars had reached high time to move on from Blake Bortles. Armed with the seventh-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the early assumption was that they would take a quarterback with that selection. However, it was then reported that they would sign Super Bowl LII Nick Foles. And as 2019 NFL free agency has been getting into full swing with the legal tampering period, the latter is the direction the Jags went.

On Monday, the Jaguars and Foles reportedly agreed to a four-year, $88 million deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. What’s more, Garafolo adds that the new contract with Jacksonville could be worth up to $102 million with incentives.

The big question when rumors first surfaced that the Jaguars would sign Foles would be what kind of contract the now-former Eagles signal-caller would be getting. Jacksonville answered that with a deal that is a heavy investment in Foles. But is this really the best course of action for this franchise?

QB. Jacksonville Jaguars. NICK FOLES. C.

While the mythos of Nick Foles would have you believe that he has some supernatural powers that makes paying him this much money worth it, the truth of the matter is that Foles is a replacement level quarterback with a high ceiling and low floor. The very best of Foles is quite impressive, but he’s never consistently played at that level at any point throughout his career.

There is no questioning the fact that Foles is an upgrade from Bortles, though that’s not saying much. Foles under center in Jacksonville will bring more stability to the offense than was previously present. Having said that, fans should not mistake the notion of “more stability” for the idea of having a stable presence at quarterback.

Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine two-round projection. dark

Handing Foles this contract is the Jaguars saddling themselves with another long-term deal that ties them to a quarterback who is not a viable long-term solution for the franchise. So, while this move should help Jacksonville improve after their dismal showing in the 2018 season, it’s hard to give them anything other than an average grade as it simply seems like a miscalculation of what they’re buying given how much they’re paying for Foles’ services.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars