TEMPE, Ariz. — There’s one quarterback who the Arizona Cardinals should pursue this offseason, regardless of his status with his team.
Yes, that’s Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
He was named the MVP of Super Bowl LII on Sunday in Minneapolis after throwing for 373 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and catching a touchdown pass. The performance proved he can play at the highest level of the NFL, has the poise to be a starting quarterback again and that he can win. All of that is what the Cardinals need from their next quarterback.
There’s an obvious hurdle for Arizona, though: Foles is under contract with the Eagles through the 2018 season. That might seem like a bump in the road for Arizona, but Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, is coming off major knee surgery, adding importance to Foles’ backup role in 2018. The severity of the injury will likely make Wentz’s recovery take longer than a typical six-month rehab, which would have had him back in June. That means Foles will be needed at least through organized team activities and minicamp, and possibly through training camp. There’s a chance Foles will open the season as Philadelphia’s starter.
And that’s if everything goes well and stays on schedule for Wentz.
It’s highly unlikely the Eagles will give up their Super Bowl-winning quarterback for whatever the bounty might be if their starter will be out for some of the regular season.
But that shouldn’t stop the Cardinals from trying.
The worst Philadelphia’s front office will do is say Foles isn’t on the market.
And there are plenty of reasons why the idea of Foles works in Arizona.
First, there’s the whole Super Bowl thing.
Second, he has ties to the area. He wanted to attend Arizona State University out of high school and ended up playing for the Arizona Wildcats. He has family friends in Phoenix area and has spent plenty of time out here, giving him a comfort level if he were to move to the desert. Foles being a familiar face will also give Cardinals someone to rally around early in the season while the team goes through the learning curve that comes from playing under a new coaching staff.
Third, he’s adept at learning new offenses quickly. He’s learned five different schemes — including Andy Reid’s twice, however, with two different teams — in six years. He’d be paired with offensive coordinator Mike McCoy in Arizona as they both install the system together. Foles can mold the scheme to his liking.
Foles already cashed in on the season that just ended. He had $2.5 million worth of not-likely-to-be-earned bonuses available regarding playing time, passing percentage, playoffs and wins. He certainly took home some of that.
If he’s on the Eagles in 2018, Foles will be due a $3 million roster bonus on March 18, the fifth day of the league year. He’ll have another $2.5 million worth of not-likely-to-be-earned bonuses available because of the same factors as 2017. However, a possible $6 million escalator that’s related to playing time, passing percentage, playoffs and wins would also be available.
That’s in addition to the $4 million base salary he’s scheduled to earn in 2018 — up from a $1 million base in 2017. If Philadelphia hangs on to him through the fifth day of the league year, Foles will be scheduled to earn $7 million next season — the second-most a back-up quarterback will make next season.
As Wentz continues to recover, the Eagles will keep a close eye on his timeline to return. They could, in theory, cash in themselves from a team willing to trade a hefty bounty for Foles. But if the Eagles feel like Foles is worth the money to keep as Wentz rehabs — and it’s tough to think they won’t after he just delivered the team’s first Super Bowl trophy — the Cardinals’ and anyone else’s hopes of landing Foles will never get off the ground.
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