Speaking in the locker rooms at the NovaCare Complex for perhaps the final time, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles didn't completely rule out the possibility he could return to the team he won the Super Bowl for in 2017.
"Everything is open. The most important thing right now is taking a step back, being with family and taking a breath," Foles said. "Everything is open. I love this city, I love this locker room. It's special. So we'll see."
That being said…
"I think having the option to be a free agent," Foles said, "is extremely important."
Foles will be able to buy back his free agency later this offseason, when he can decline a mutual option with the team, a decision that would cost him $2 million. Buying his way into the free agency market, however, could be extremely lucrative for Foles and could land him the ability to start — something he almost certainly won't get in Philadelphia. Still, it is clear it is going to take a special situation for Foles to seriously consider leaving Philadelphia. There not many clear-cut destinations for Foles, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to find a place to potentially start next season.
So where could Foles end up?
Here are some options that might make sense.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are coming off of an incredibly disappointing season, as a year that started with hopes of a Super Bowl title ended with sitting at home in the playoffs. Quarterback Blake Bortles is part of the reason why, and after being benched midway through the season, there is a strong chance he is not back in Jacksonville. If the Jaguars' defense can return to it's 2017 form, the Jaguars could be back to being a contender very soon — especially with Foles at quarterback. The issue with the Jaguars is cap space, as they are currently $7 million over the salary cap, but they do have plenty of ways to clear up the cash to bring in Foles.
Giants: This would be the Eagles' worst nightmare, and with $27 million in cap space, the Giants have the money to make it come true. Foles landing in the division, with plenty of weapons around him (Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley) and a head coach he is familiar with in Pat Shurmur could make the Eagles' chances at recapturing the NFC East crown much tougher. Despite ending the season with a 5-11 record, the Giants were extremely competitive over their final eight games, and the culture that Shurmur built is credited as the reason why. If the Giants move on from Eli Manning, it would not be surprising at all to see Foles end up as their new quarterback.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders have Derek Carr under contract right now, but it doesn't appear that he is in the long-term plans of head coach Jon Gruden. The Raiders could cut Carr, save $15 million in cap space and open ip a spot to make Foles their quarterback. With $73 million in cap space right now, prior to potentially releasing Carr, the Raiders have more than enough space to bring in Foles. The main question for Foles would be culture and fit, as the quarterback has made it extremely clear those will be at the top of his list when searching for a team -- and right now the Raiders don't seem to check those boxes.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos would have to really love Foles to bring him in, as cutting their current quarterback — Case Keenum — would cost them $10 million in dead salary cap space. With $37 million to spend, however, the Broncos do currently have the space to sign Foles, something that shouldn't be ruled out with a new head coach in Vic Fangio — the coach Foles knocked out of the playoffs just two weeks ago. Fangio is going to want to win right away, considering how quickly the Broncos moved on from their last coach, and the combination of Foles, a solid running game and a turned around defense could get that accomplished quickly.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
