Nick Foles to the Jaguars: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves yet
By David Levin
What if the Nick Foles to the Jaguars rumors turn out to be nothing more than speculation?
The growing concensus is the Jacksonville Jaguars will sign free agent quarterback Nick Foles next week at the start of NFL free agency. There are some who still believe this is not a done deal just yet. I happen to be one of them.
While like many fans, I want the Jaguars to find the best possible solution to solving the team’s problem at quarterback, I have yet to embrace a move to sign Nick Foles to a multi-year deal just yet. There is something telling me we may be writing another story next week.
Would I like Foles to be the next signal caller in Jacksonville? Yes. Do I like the prospect of starting the 2019 season with a rookie under center? No. Do I think the potential quarterback class of 2020 is better than this year? Most certainly.
Stories from several outlets all but have this transaction done but one in particular, from USA Today, reiterates what I think – it’s not over until the Jaguars front office makes a major announcement.
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"“Although many signs point for former Philadelphia Eagles backup-turned-Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a person familiar with the situation expressed caution when asked about such a union,” Mike Jones writes.“Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks, a person told USA TODAY Sports that Jacksonville does indeed have strong interest in Foles. However, a handful of other teams also have inquired about the quarterback’s services.”"
The Jaguars should indeed be the frontrunner to land Foles, but based on the past and the Jaguars front office being tight-lipped about their wants and desires in both free agency and the NFL Draft, something that is this transparent does not make sense.
To make matters a little more interesting, there are still quarterbacks out there who are less expensive and would fit the team’s needs for a productive mobile signal caller.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports agreed the Jaguars should take another route to finding their next quarterback.
Regardless of what happens in the next eight days, there are still other teams, for now, that are part of this ever-growing sports story. The Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, New York Giants and maybe another team or two could make Foles an offer he cannot refuse. The Giants would make the most sense, given the offensive weapons Foles would have to work with in Odell Beckham, Jr., Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley.
If I were GM of the Jaguars, I'd rather pay Teddy Bridgewater a smaller deal than give Nick Foles over $20 million a year, which I don't think they will do by the way. Who is in the market?
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) March 4, 2019
To futher that point, if Foles goes to New York, does that make Eli Manning available?
The great thing about this time of year is rumors are rampant and there is plenty to write about from a Jaguars perspective. Fans are onboard and against the team signing Foles, whether it is about money (potentially $20-million per season), his age (he is now 30) or the fact they want another veteran or a rookie to play next season.
There are no guarantees that Dwayne Haskins or Kyler Murray will be the next Patrick Mahomes. And, for those of you who still like the quarterbacks on the Jaguars current roster, there is still a matter the team must address soon.
"“The Jaguars still have Blake Bortles under contract, but are expected to release him,” Jones writes. “Jacksonville has a strong defense, but mediocre quarterback play and limited play-makers on offense represented a stumbling block for the franchise. It’s believed that Foles can help elevate the Jaguars.”"
Next. In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Jaguars select.... dark
Jacksonville’s quarterback situation will look different once the NFL Draft is over in April. I suspect a deal for Foles still gets done. But I also think this is not the slam dunk some have made it out to be. Too many variable and too much speculation lead me to believe there will be more rumors and conjecture before a deal for Foles or any quarterback gets done.