Nick Foles Calls it a Career

There are rare occasions in sports where a player immortalizes themselves within a city, forever remembered for something truly spectacular. Former Eagles QB Nick Foles is one of those players, forever renowned in Philadelphia for his improbable Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Philadelphia legend has recently decided to call it a career, and what a career it was.

Foles began his NFL journey as a third-round draft pick for the Eagles in 2012, playing in just six games as a rookie. He initially found himself stuck behind the well-respected QB Michael Vick, but got his chance in 2013 after Vick went down with an injury. This time, Foles wouldn’t look back, playing arguably the best football of his career. He threw for over 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns to only two interceptions in 13 games, starting in ten of them. More importantly, he led the Eagles to an 8-2 record as a starter, winning the division and making the playoffs, though they eventually fell in the wildcard round to New Orleans.

The following season, Foles started 8 games and again put on a quality performance, leading the team to a 6-2 record. However, his numbers took a hit as turnovers began to pile up, unlike his near-flawless 2013 season. He ended up throwing ten interceptions across those eight games, a significant increase from the previous year. The Eagles finished second in the division and fell short of a playoff appearance. As free agency approached, Foles began exploring his options, drawing interest from around the NFL as a potential starter. In August 2015, Foles agreed to a two-year deal with the then-St. Louis Rams worth $15 million annually. Unfortunately, this marked the beginning of a rough patch in Foles’ career, as he struggled mightily in his first year with the Rams. St. Louis finished with a 4-7 record with Foles as the starter, and he managed only 2,000 yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing ten interceptions.

After being let go by the Rams, Foles signed with the Chiefs and then returned to the Eagles as a backup. In 2017, Foles made a name for himself by filling in for injured MVP candidate Carson Wentz, who went down with a season-ending injury. Foles took the reins and looked like his 2013 self, going 2-1 in the regular season and throwing five touchdowns. But it was the postseason that cemented Foles as a Philly legend, with a magical run that will forever be remembered. He led the Eagles to a nail-biting 15-10 victory over the Falcons and then orchestrated a triumphant blowout against the Vikings in the NFC Championship, propelling the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

The defining moment of Foles’ career came in that Super Bowl, where he and the Eagles went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and the Patriots. In an epic showdown between the two quarterbacks, who both delivered illustrious performances, Foles made the one play that defined the entire game. The "Philly Special" will forever be remembered as one of the greatest play calls in NFL history. If not for that play, we might not be discussing Foles in the same light as we are today. Foles not only caught a touchdown, but also threw for three more, racking up 373 passing yards. It was one of the all-time great Super Bowl performances, and it will surely not be forgotten, especially since there is a statue commemorating the achievement.

Foles then moved on to Jacksonville, who offered him a massive contract that ultimately didn’t pan out. He signed a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jaguars, but played in only four games for the team. From there, Foles bounced around to Chicago and most recently, Indianapolis, where he served as a backup, starting only three games in two years.

Foles’ career was filled with ups and downs of the highest magnitude. From a third-round pick to a Super Bowl MVP, he carved out a place in NFL history as one of the greatest playoff success stories the league has ever seen. As his career now comes to a close, I’d like to wish Nick a happy retirement and thank him for all the memories he created along the way.