News of the Eagles’ franchise tag-and-trade plan failing emerged because of the Eagles’ inability to talk the Jaguars into making a bid for Foles.
The Jaguars were not interested in trading for Foles, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link), and that led to Howie Roseman shutting down the tag-and-trade process. The Eagles had hoped to place a $25MM tag on their popular backup quarterback, but once the Broncos opted for Joe Flacco and the Jags said they did not want to acquire Foles via trade, Roseman agreed the Eagles would let Foles walk. A 2020 third-round compensatory pick will almost certainly come Philadelphia’s way.
However, the Jaguars remain interested in Foles as a free agent, per Rapoport. They are the favorites to sign him in free agency, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
Given the marketplace, this is unsurprising. The Jaguars have a veteran defense that in 2017 proved capable of elevating a team with a low-end quarterback to the Super Bowl precipice. The Redskins are unlikely to commit franchise-quarterback-level dollars to finding another passer, with Alex Smith on their 2019 books for more than $20MM, and the Dolphins have not given an indication they are looking to spend big here either. The Giants are, as expected, moving forward with Eli Manning — despite Pat Shurmur’s history with Foles.
This leaves the Jags in an interesting spot. And the fact that they may be a strong favorite likely impacted the team’s decision to avoid giving up a draft choice in a tag-and-trade scenario. Jacksonville’s standing on this front could also affect how much Foles can command as a free agent.
John DeFilippo is now the Jags’ OC, and the team has soured on Blake Bortles after a five-year run did not produce what the franchise hoped. It would be an upset if Foles did not end up in north Florida next season, though thanks to the ill-advised Bortles contract leading to a $16MM dead-money charge, the Jaguars making this quarterback switch will be costly.
Didn’t even make a bid? Hmm…
If he were a legit QB1, he would have started at least one full season before being 30-31 years old.
They said something similar about some guy named Steve Young…not that he’s Steve Young, just sometimes the circumstances don’t line up right.
Steve Young started a full season in Tampa Bay….And then he was behind Montana.
Did you guys not watch Foles in the Super Bowl? Definite upgrade over guys like Bortles and Manning.
That great year Young had leading them to a 2-12 record? Then was a backup and didn’t find success as a starter until he was 31 and playoffs until he was 32.
he has 44 starts under his belt. He would have had a full season if not for injuries. He also was in the pro bowl already in his first stint with the eagles. I still dont think he is a QB1 for fantasy purposes but he is definitely worthy of being a starting qb.