The NFL Combine is set to kick off in a matter of hours, and the annual event that features the league’s stars of the future could be the backdrop for the Eagles and Howie Roseman figuring out a possible trade partner for the Super Bowl MVP.
It’s unknown if Foles will descend on Indianapolis for the festivities, but expect his agent Justin Schulman, who has represented him since he was drafted in the third round by the Eagles in 2012, and Austin Lyman, his marketing agent, to be front and center for discussions centered around the possible franchise tag being placed on their client, in hopes of facilitating a trade to a team of the Eagles choosing.
With things starting to heat up and free agency less than two weeks away, the question has to be asked, what kind of market will there be for the Eagles backup quarterback? The deadline to tag Foles is March 5 so you can expect GM Howie Roseman to find out what level of interest teams have in a prospective tag-and-trade involving him.
The Eagles and Foles will both benefit from getting something done sooner than later, and with that said, here are five teams Foles and his reps could secretly meet with at the scouting combine.
Oakland Raiders, GM Mike Mayock
The Raiders are Jon Gruden’s team, but Mayock could have the juice to mediate a Foles to Oakland/Las Vegas deal that would rock the NFL. Despite saying all the right things, Gruden could have soured on Derek Carr, and the Raiders could release him without taking a huge cap hit, or trade him elsewhere. Foles being a recent Super Bowl MVP and west coast kid could bring some added energy to the Raiders before they move to Las Vegas. The Raiders have three first round picks and could look to part with one, in return for a trusted and steady signal caller.
Cincinnati Bengals — Zac Taylor
The Bengals young, hotshot head coach could decide that Andy Dalton is someone else’s inconsistent star now, and decide that Foles is the guy that can get AJ Green an Offensive MVP award. The AFC North is up for grabs, and with Joe Mixon looking like the real deal, along with Tyler Boyd and other weapons, the Bengals could be an efficient and Super Bowl caliber signal caller away from overtaking the Ravens and Steelers.
Jacksonville Jaguars — John DeFilippo
The Jaguars had Super Bowl aspirations and could be a quarterback away, but we and the franchise know for sure, is that Blake Bortles is not the answer. After being benched midway through the season, there is a strong chance he is not back in Jacksonville. If the defense can regain their desire to dominate opposing offenses, the Jaguars could return to the postseason with Foles at quarterback. The Jaguars are currently $7 million over the salary cap, and like the Eagles, have a long way to go in regards to removing space.
New York Giants
The Giants would have to first move on from Eli Manning, thus giving an indication that could target Foles or Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins in the NFL Draft. Foles has a history with Giants coach Pat Shurmur, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in Foles’ stellar 2013 campaign.
Foles performs best when he can make the read and get the ball to his weapons and the Giants have a boatload, including Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and, tight end Evan Engram.
Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill isn’t the answer, and he could provide the Dolphins with a serviceable backup until they can move on in 2020.
Washington Redskins
For Washington, they’ll have to determine what options they have after announcing that Alex Smith would miss the entire 2019 season with a leg injury.
