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NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history

By Hans Themistode

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Carson Wentz and Nick Foles
Carson Wentz and Nick Foles (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history: 9. Philly trades Wentz not Foles

Carson Wentz was supposed to be the guy. With the Philadelphia Eagles trading the farm to get him, he was quickly developing into everything they were hoping for. During the 2017 season, he was the runaway MVP favorite and seemed ready to put Philadelphia on the map.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he suffered a horrific ACL tear. And with that, backup quarterback Nick Foles stepped in and led them to an improbable Super Bowl win. The following season, with Wentz hobbled again, Foles led the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs after they were floundering under Wentz.

Despite his success, the Eagles allowed Foles to walk and signed Wentz to an extension. Everything has been a disaster since then. Wentz has proved to be a shell of his former self in Philadelphia and has since been traded to the Indianapolis Colts.

No matter his success, the Eagles simply wouldn’t believe in Foles for the long term although the team clearly functioned better with him under center. Was Foles ever considered an elite quarterback? No, but he was good enough to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Who’s to say he couldn’t have dragged those Eagles teams to another Super Bowl or two. Unfortunately, we’ll never know.

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