PHILADELPHIA (94WIP) -- The Nick Foles sweepstakes is coming to an end, and once again, everything seems to be breaking the Philadelphia Eagles' way.
According to multiple reports, Foles is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars when free agency begins on March 13.
It is unclear how much money is involved, but it is expected to be a multi-year deal that should cement Foles as the Jaguars' starting quarterback.
Foles hitting the free-agent market became a guarantee when Eagles top personnel director Howie Roseman stated at the NFL Scouting Combine last week that the Eagles would not be placing the franchise tag on Foles.
With Foles in Jacksonville, the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning quarterback is about as out-of-sight, out-of-mind as he could get for the Eagles. Foles will be in the AFC, and the Jaguars aren't slated to play the Eagles until 2022, which is four seasons from now. Four seasons is an eternity in the NFL.
The only time the Eagles would see Foles prior to 2022 would be in the Super Bowl. If that happens, both sides -- the Eagles and Foles -- will likely be happy how things turned out.
Foles taking the Jaguars to the Super Bowl, however, is hard to envision.
The Jaguars have a rock-solid defense, but their offense was a disaster last season and their skill-position players leave much to be desired. The division Foles is entering is one of the best in the NFL, with the three teams ahead of him -- Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans -- each capable of making the playoffs. The Texans and Colts might be Super Bowl contenders in 2019.
It is also fair to wonder about the coaches around Foles. Head coach Doug Marrone has coached on the offensive side of the ball, but mostly along the offensive line. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has a history with Foles with the Eagles, but his one season in Minnesota should create some skepticism about his ability to lead an offense away from Philadelphia and Doug Pederson.
The idea of Foles heading to a division opponent -- the Giants, specifically -- was the worst-case scenario for the Eagles. The Giants are loaded with talent on offense and always play the Eagles tough. Foles taking on Carson Wentz, and the potential storylines that would follow if the Eagles didn't win, is the last thing the Eagles needed as they try to re-build their franchise quarterback.
Chances are Foles will go to the Jaguars, improve the team slightly, but won't play in the big games he was accustomed to winning in Philadelphia. He might not even be the Jaguars quarterback by the time 2022 comes along. For those in Philadelphia who want to be proven correct about Foles not being that good, Jacksonville is the perfect landing spot. The chances of him proving the Eagles wrong down in Florida are slim to none.
By Eliot Shorr-Parks