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Nick Foles will be the most coveted quarterback of the 2019 NFL offseason - but the team's pursuing him still don't how they'll have to acquire him.
- ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Eagles quarterback Nick Foles will be opting out of his contract for the 2019 season.
- The move leaves the Eagles with two options - let Foles walk in free agency, or use the franchise tag to keep him with the team and attempt to trade him.
- As things stand, it looks as though the Eagles will use the franchise tag, as Foles will likely be the most coveted quarterback on the market this offseason, and have plenty of potential suitors.
The Nick Foles era is one step closer to ending in Philadelphia.
After the Eagles notified Foles that they would be picking up the mutual option of his $20 million contract for the 2019 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that a source told him Foles would be opting out of the deal.
Foles opting out of his $20 million deal leaves the Eagles with two options - letting Foles walk into free agency, or placing the franchise tag on him.
Should the Eagles choose to use the franchise tag, the team would likely attempt to work out a trade with another team to ensure they got some return value for their departing quarterback. The franchise tag on a quarterback for the 2019 season will likely be worth around $25 million.
Foles was once again vital to the Eagles 2018 campaign, bring the Eagles playoff hopes back from the dead and carrying the team to a Wild Card win over the Chicago Bears to follow up his MVP performance in Super Bowl LII.
Regardless of his success with the team, the Eagles are committed to Carson Wentz as their franchise quarterback moving forward, and Foles has been clear about his desire to be the top guy with a franchise.
"I would love to lead a team," Foles said after the team's playoff run ended in New Orleans this year (via ESPN's Tim McManus). "The starter thing, leading a team, impacting a locker room ... that's why we play the game, to impact people, to create an atmosphere."
Heading into the 2019 offseason, Foles will likely be the most-desired quarterback on the market - the only thing left to determine is how teams will go about getting him.
If the Eagles let him walk, it will all come down to which team puts up the best deal, as Foles will be able to choose his destination, going through offers and selecting his next team based on fit, location, compensation, and whatever other factors he finds important to his lifestyle.
If the Eagles do decide to use the franchise tag, teams that covet Foles will instead be courting the Eagles, needing to give up a pick or possibly a player in a trade. According to Schefter, the price for Foles is expected to be close to a third-round pick.
As things stand, the Eagles using the franchise tag seems like the most likely outcome, as it is the only way the team can ensure they get something back for his departure. There shouldn't be a shortage of bidders, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, and more all at least vaguely in the market for a quarterback.
At 30, Foles still has plenty of good years of football left in him, and in his time with the Eagles has proven himself deserving of a starting gig. All that's left is for the Eagles to make their decision and for a deal to be made.