He’s never started more than 10 games in a season as a Philadelphia Eagle, and he’s only been the opening-day QB once.
He’s responsible for some of the worst QB starts by an Eagle in the last decade — four of the eight-worst passer ratings, to be exact, and nobody else has more than one.
He’s changed teams after three of the last four seasons, and that’s almost certainly about to become four times in five years.
He’s played for three head coaches here — Andy Reid, Chip Kelly and Doug Pederson — and none of them has ever declared him the Quarterback of the Future.
He’s had one of the oddest careers in NFL history.
He had one of the highest passer ratings in NFL history in 2013, he had the third-lowest passer rating in the NFL in 2015, he had the greatest postseason ever in 2017.
When he uses the word roller-coaster to describe his career, Nick Foles isn’t lying.
NFL
All of this is why it’s tricky to put Nick’s career in perspective as he prepares for his 32nd — and almost certainly final — regular-season start in an Eagles uniform.
He’s really been a career backup. He’s averaged 5 ½ starts per season since the Eagles drafted him in the third round in 2012, and he’s averaged just over six starts per season in his five years as an Eagle.
He’s started 10 of his teams’ last 52 games.
And yet here we are.
Foles is beloved in these parts, and rightfully so, and when you piece together all the fragmented parts of his legend you come up with something incredibly special.
That’s why so many fans are having such a hard time dealing with all this. Nick is one of us in so many ways. He really is like a family member, and it’s never easy when a family member says goodbye.
2012: Became the first rookie in NFL history to throw for 240 yards per game while completing 60 percent of his passes. Went 1-6, and the one win was Reid’s final win as Eagles head coach.
2013: Set a single-season TD-INT ratio record of 27-2 in his Pro Bowl season, leading the Eagles to an 8-2 record after replacing an injured Michael Vick.
2014: Numbers dropped off but he still went 6-2, improving to 14-4 as a starter under Kelly.
2017: Returned and replaced an injured Wentz in December and led the Eagles on a historic postseason run that culminated in him being Super Bowl MVP.
2018: Replaced an injured Wentz again and pumped some life into a lost season with a few late-season wins that have put the Eagles in position where they at least have a chance at another postseason run.
Add it all up.
Ron Jaworski didn’t miss a game from 1977 through 1984, led the Eagles to the playoffs four straight years and made it to a Super Bowl.
Randall Cunningham revolutionized the quarterback position, had an MVP season in 1990 and led the Eagles to the playoffs in his four healthy seasons from 1988 through 1992.
Donovan McNabb won nine playoff games — still 11th-most in NFL history — and shattered the Eagles record book.
Jeff Garcia had a higher passer rating, Mark Sanchez threw more yards per pass, Bubby Brister had a better interception ratio and Wentz has won more games.
But when someone asks me who the greatest quarterback in Eagles history is?
I won’t hesitate.
Nick Foles.
With what he’s accomplished? The way he’s connected with the fans? The remarkable clutch performances in just about every big game he’s played? The positivity that eminates from his very being 24 hours a day?
The Super Bowl. The Philly Special. The TD to Alshon. Fourth down to Ertz. The game-winner to Ertz.
Just magic stuff. Plays and moments and memories that are part of our being and always will be.
Wherever he goes, whatever he achieves, wherever he winds up, the impact Nick Foles has made on the city and the people and the franchise is unparalleled.
He’s started just 35 games as an Eagle. Yet when he leaves, there will be no doubt that he really is the greatest of all time.
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