One potential landing spot for Nick Foles has emerged!
With the 2022 NFL Draft on the horizon and the initial waves of free agency passing, there may not be another Bear being rumoured and shopped more than Nick Foles.
After acquiring Nick Foles before the 2020 season, from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 4th round pick to compete for a starting job, Foles' days as a Bear seem to be numbered.
Heading into the 2021 season, the Chicago Bears selected Quarterback Justin Fields in the 1st round, along with adding former Bear Andy Dalton to a 1-year deal during the off-season. Former Bears GM Ryan Pace failed to find a trade partner and Foles played most of the season as a backup to Dalton and Fields, besides a late-season week 16 start in Seattle. Foles did lead the Bears to a late-game victory in a snowy Lumen Field. Foles posted a modest performance going 24-35 with 250 yards passing and 1TD along with a victory in his only start in 2022.
With Ryan Poles taking over, and the recent signing of veteran QB Trevor Siemian to likely secure the 2nd QB spot on the depth chart, it appears for Foles again, the writing is on the walls, he won't be part of the future in Chicago.
After the Siemian signing NFL Network's Mike Garafolo tweeted «The Bears have explored trades for Nick Foles». Along with Ryan Poles stating at the annual league meeting this last week that «we're working on it . Hopefully something pops up.» It's apparent that Foles being on the roster come training camp is highly unlikely.
Now, the next question that remains is:
Who is a suitor for Nick Foles and what would the compensation be?
Heading back to the team that originally traded for him once already makes all the sense, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars hired former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson. Pederson and Foles have been connected since Foles' rookie year in 2012 when Pederson served as the Eagles' QB coach. The two reunited in Philadelphia and went on to win Super Bowl 52 in 2018 during a historic playoff run where Nick Foles earned Super Bowl MVP.
This reunion would allow Foles to secure a backup mentor position to 2nd year QB Trevor Lawrence. The knowledge of Pederson's offense, along with the skills obtained in becoming a veteran QB in the NFL could pay dividends for Lawrence as he grows in the expected franchise quarterback role that they drafted him to be.
Now the next question is:
What would the compensation be for both parties to agree to a deal? The Jaguars hold 12 picks in the upcoming 2022 draft. Including four in the 6th round and 2 in the 7th round. These picks realistically would be what the return would be for Foles.
Here is an example:
Bears receive: Round 6 (197th overall)
Jaguars receive: QB Nick Foles
It's worth noting that Nick Foles's 2022 roster bonus was guaranteed on the beginning of the 5th day of the new league year, of 4 million dollars, along with 1 million of his 2022 base salary. If this trade were to happen the Bears have already paid the majority of the 2022 salary, so the Jaguars would not have to worry about taking on a large portion of the deal that remained in his final contract year.
The Bears could use as many drafts picks at their disposal as the Poles staff begins to construct their roster. Poles has been in the league with the Chiefs since 2009 where he has held various crucial roles in the scouting department and transcended through the ranks to his previous position, Executive Director of player personnel, before becoming the GM of the Chicago Bears.
During his time with the Chiefs, he was a part of drafting Eric Kush, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and Zach Fulton. All of them were selected in the 6th round or later and became established veterans in the league.
This article was written by: Justin Kendrick
