NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Jets should seriously consider making a strong trade offer for Super Bowl MVP quarterback Nick Foles, WFAN's Chris Carlin said Tuesday.
The Jets are reportedly planning to pursue Kirk Cousins when free agency opens next week. But they're expected to face stiff competition from the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. So the Jets are exploring Plan B's.
"I am coming around more and more to the idea of making a deal for Nick Foles," Carlin said on Tuesday's "The Afternoon Drive."
"If I'm the Jets, I would be just fine with doing a third-round pick this year and a first-round pick next year to go get Nick Foles."
Carlin's co-host, Maggie Gray, noted that not only would the Jets have to give up draft picks, they'd still have to agree to a contract extension with Foles, who is set to become a free agent after the 2018 season. Carlin, however, said the money wouldn't be as much as what Cousins is expected to command (possibly $30 million a year) and what Alex Smith got from the Redskins ($23.5 million annually).
As a backup quarterback filling in for the injured Carson Wentz, Foles led the Philadelphia Eagles to the world championship, passing for 373 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
"Nick Foles, over the last few years, has primarily been a backup, but he's fully capable of being a starter and being a productive, winning starter," Carlin said. "And if I'm the Jets, let me look at the whole picture for a minute. If I'm giving them a third-round pick this year and a first-round pick next year, it means that I am desperate to get a quarterback that can go in, play and win right now.
"You still have a ton of money to spend, you can still improve your team immensely, and you still have three picks in the top 50 this year," he added.
Carlin said he understands that giving up a first-round draft pick next season might be a lot, but "if there's pressure to win in the short-term, you can't always tream a pick like it's in the most valuable thing in the planet."
"Afternoon Drive" co-host Bart Scott, however, said he doesn't believe Foles is worth big money. He pointed out that Foles has yet to start under center for a full season and said he saw things he didn't like from the quarterback during his time with the Rams, including his lack of downfield accuracy.
"We're talking about a player that was almost out of football last year and was considering moving on," Scott said. "He's great in certain systems. If I'm paying $20 million for a quarterback, I don't want to have to tailor my offense to things that he can't do. I'm going to need him to be able to have all the skill sets that I need to be successful."
Listen to the segment by clicking on the audio player above.
