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The Indianapolis Colts have been reportedly moving closer to signing a veteran backup quarterback. Senior writer Zak Keefer of The Athletic reported on May 21 the team was eyeing to reunite head coach Frank Reich with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
Just two days later, that has come to fruition. NFL reporter Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports the Colts have finalized a two-year deal with Foles.
Foles, who won Super Bowl MVP with Reich as his offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, will serve as Matt Ryan’s backup.
NFL salary cap analyst Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus reports Foles will make $2.5 million in 2022.
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Nick Foles to Provide Quality Depth
Matt Ryan is projected to be the third-oldest starting quarterback in the NFL this year behind only Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. But after signing undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Jack Coan on April 30, the average age of the three signal callers behind Ryan on the Colts’ depth chart was 24 years old.
The addition of Foles will increase that average age a bit. He turned 33 years old in January.
More importantly, Foles brings quality experience that NFL teams seek in backup quarterbacks.
Foles has started 62 games in his NFL career including the playoffs. He experienced his most success as a starter with the Eagles, going 25-12 with four postseason wins.
He has also played for the St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. With those teams, he posted a 8-16 record.
Ryan has been one of the most durable quarterbacks of the past decade and a half, as he’s missed just three games over 14 seasons. Based on that history, Foles likely won’t receive an opportunity for much playing time this fall or in 2023.
But if something does happen to Ryan, the Colts won’t have to turn to a quarterback who has never thrown a pass in the league.
Coan and James Morgan have never even played in an NFL game. Sam Ehlinger appeared in three games, rushing for nine yards on three carries, as a rookie last season.
Ehlinger and Coan will presumably compete for the third-string quarterback role behind Ryan and Foles. The Colts waived Morgan to make room for Foles on the 90-man roster.
Nick Foles’ Relationship With Frank Reich
Foles’ record outside of Philadelphia was probably a bit alarming to any team considering him as an option this offseason. It didn’t have to be for the Colts, though, because Reich coached Foles through some of his success with the Eagles.
Reich served as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator from 2016-17. The Eagles drafted Foles in 2012 and then traded him to the Rams in 2015. He returned to Philadelphia as Carson Wentz’s backup in 2017.
When Wentz suffered a knee injury in December 2017, Foles replaced him the rest of the season. He went 5-1 with Reich as his offensive coordinator and led the Eagles to their first championship since 1960.
In the Super Bowl, Foles went 28 of 43 for 373 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also caught a touchdown pass on a trick play now known as “The Philly Special.” With that performance, Foles won Super Bowl MVP.
With the former big game MVP signing a two-year deal, the Colts now have Foles and Ryan under contract through the 2023-24 season.
Interestingly, Foles beat Ryan in the NFC Divisional Round during January 2018 on his way to winning the Super Bowl. That was Ryan’s last playoff game with the Atlanta Falcons.
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