Dec 23, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor (not pictured) in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports.
An old, not-so-friendly acquaintance of the Minnesota Vikings is on the move — again — after the Indianapolis Colts said sayonara Friday.
That’s Nick Foles, a quarterback with a lengthy resume that will presumably become even longer in the coming weeks.
The Colts social media accounts posted a straightforward message detailing the move, “We have released QB Nick Foles.”
Unless Foles retires — which seems unlikely — he’ll latch onto his seventh team in 12 seasons before too long. The 34-year-old is no stranger to success, though, as Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles ruined the Vikings would-be storybook season in 2017. Minnesota was led by a hellfire defense, a lovable quarterback in Case Keenum, and a prime version of Latavius Murray, finishing 13-3 while racing to the NFC Championship.
But Foles and friends gutted the Vikings Super Bowl aspirations, crushing Minnesota in the NFC title game, 38-7. Indeed, Foles prevented the Vikings from hosting a home Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium. Foles and the Eagles later won Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots in Minneapolis. He also hoisted the Super Bowl MVP trophy.
Following the greatest comeback in NFL history last year, orchestrated by the Vikings over Matt Ryan’s Colts on December 17th, then-head-coach Jeff Saturday benched Ryan in favor of Foles — basically to save face. Foles took over, played terribly against the Los Angeles Chargers, and was injured the next game versus the New York Giants. And that was a wrap on his Colts career.
Foles holds a litany of NFL records, including 7 touchdown passes in a game, the highest completion percentage in a game with 7 TD passes (78.5%), the most passing touchdowns (7) with a perfect passer rating (158.3) in a game, and most consecutive pass completions (25). He also visited the Pro Bowl in 2013.
The Arizona alumnus has played 71 games in his career, starting 58 and recording 200.4 passing yards per game, 82 touchdown passes, 47 interceptions, and an 86.2 passer rating. Teams led by Foles have a win-loss record of 29-29 (.500) on his watch, an Eli Manning-ish statline.
Because of his Super Bowl pedigree and prognosis as a from-here-forward QB2, not a QB1, Foles’ free-agent market should be robust. On any given Sunday, he can reasonably be coined one of the best backup quarterbacks in the sport.
Foles has started four career games against the Vikings, with his teams tallying a 1-3 (.250) record against Minnesota. The only one where he was triumphant was the granddaddy of them all — the one that prevented the Vikings from a home Super Bowl five years ago.
Foles will turn 35 next January.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.