Although the NFL is in its usual period of hibernation, plans for the 2020 season are still somewhat up in the air. With the coronavirus pandemic currently having a vice-like grip on global sport, questions remain regarding the schedule for later in the year.
Although all sport has taken something of a backseat both here in America and across the world, that has not stopped the usual horse-trading that takes place under the guise of the annually anticipated NFL Draft.
With every draft that is completed, there are always sub-plots that emerge from them and whether it’s the number one pick and the expectation that comes with a move from the collegiate game or perhaps a log jam in positions for one particular franchise.
Of course, it’s not just the hottest prospects that are on the move in every off-season, there’s also the potential for trades. With the Chicago Bears adding a former Super Bowl winner to their ranks, there is the potential for some upheaval in the Quarterback role.
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With Mitch Trubisky already on the Bears’ roster, he will now have to fight off the new competition provided by Foles as with the former Jacksonville Jaguar looking to make the role his own, Chicago might be set for an internal personnel battle.
In terms of Trubisky, his three years with the Chicago franchise have been rather underwhelming, and on the evidence of his performances, you can begin to understand why general manager Ryan Pace was tempted to look elsewhere.
Now with the addition of Foles, the Bears, who finished 2019 with a regular-season record of 8-8, have a proven winner. If there were already questions regarding the long-term future of Trubisky, the magnitude of these would no doubt have increased.
The arrival of the 25-year-old Trubisky was one that was much-heralded, and after being the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, big things were expected from the get-go, and if there’s one franchise that does not give you time to bed in, it’s the one found in Chicago.
Unfortunately for the former North Carolina student, time is what he needs to improve his game, and once the 2019 campaign concluded, thoughts were already turning to the Bears’ off-season shopping list.
The arrival of the 31-year-old Foles will give supporters and staff alike real cause for optimism, and if he can turn on the form of three years ago, there’s no reason why he cannot add another Super Bowl ring to his collection.
The announcement of this off-season addition is one that has garnered some interest within American gambling circles and Colorado Sports betting sites, have subsequently seen a flurry of activity, as far as future Chicagoan success is concerned.
In the 2017 championship-winning year, it is fair to say that Foles’ impact was somewhat limited in the regular season and has started just three games, many debated as to what effect he could have on the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff run.
Thankfully for both Foles and the Eagles, his offering within the single-elimination tournament was far more substantial. With a 72.6% pass completion rate from 971 yards, he certainly proved his worth to the franchise.
That miraculous run was enough to earn more starts in 2018. However, with an increase of time, it still resulted in just five appearances from the coin toss and suggestions that the former Arizona student had a long-term future in Philadelphia, were somewhat wide of the mark.
While it is not an outrageous claim to say that Foles’ NFL career has been rather nomadic and after spending last year in Jacksonville, a move to Chicago is now the fifth different franchise he will be rostered on.
The general belief is that Trubisky’s game time in the 2020 season (should it go ahead as planned and unabated) will be marginalized, and he will eventually hand over the Quarterback reigns to his new teammate.
What that means for the man who weighs in at 215lb remains to be seen. With this being the last year of his current deal, perhaps the signs point to a move away from Soldier Field within the next 12 months.
The position of Quarterback may be one that goes through a transition in 2020. At the same time, that strategy cannot be one that is all-encompassing, and the management team will undoubtedly want to see an improvement on the regular record of 8-8 in 2019.
That is where the introduction of Foles applies. Although he may be approaching the status of NFL journeyman, he still knows about winning a championship, and his move could end up being a trade that becomes priceless.
