Media-driven narratives have a funny way of not always being true. One of the most popular going around lately is that GM Ryan Pace, desperate for help at quarterback, traded for veteran Nick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars. This despite the quarterback’s massive contract he’d signed there and having to give up a 4th round pick as well. Most believed the Chicago Bears had been bamboozled. That they’d pretty much bid against themselves.
As always, the truth doesn’t support the popular theory. Dan Pompei is one of the most respected Bears columnists out there and is as well-connected around the league as one could probably get. He doesn’t deliver inside scoops a lot, so when he does one can pretty much take it to the bank. That is why this statement about how they got Foles is prevalent.
Seems there was more competition for the veteran QB than people have let on.
“The beauty of the Foles acquisition is the Bears bought low, trading a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars. When other teams have bought low on Foles, they have been pleasantly surprised. The teams that bought high — the Rams and Jaguars — were disappointed.
The Jaguars weren’t shopping Foles this year, but the Colts were bidding as well as the Bears. And others were in the mix, from what little birdies say.”
Apparently Nick Foles still has plenty of respect around NFL
A revelation like that doesn’t back up the idea that Foles is some washed-up nobody. Teams believe he still has lots to offer. They don’t hold his disappointing season in Jacksonville against him nearly as much as fans might. Stuff happens. He got hurt and while out a guy managed to play well enough to take his job. It’s happened many, many times in the NFL to great players. It never meant Foles suddenly stopped being a bad quarterback.
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He knew he needed to find a place where he was wanted. Getting a chance to reunite with Matt Nagy in Chicago appealed greatly to him. So much so that he drastically restructured his contract to where he’s basically making $8 million per year for the final three seasons. Combine that with a modest 4th round compensatory pick to get him? The Bears didn’t get fleeced in this. They got a guy who still has plenty to prove who fits their offense and their culture like a glove.
