Tag: Foles

Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles (9) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl-winning QB tops list of Jets’ potential options

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets did not anticipate turning the key of the offense over to embattled former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson four snaps into their 2023 season.

But that’s likely the scenario they find themselves in with Aaron Rodgers suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Monday night’s season-opening win against Buffalo. In the wake of Rodgers’ injury, SportsBetting.ag released odds of the next quarterback the Jets will sign or trade for.

Other than a terrible read on an interception, Wilson managed the offense efficiently in completing 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. He was primarily tasked with protecting the football and completed only two passes of 20-plus yards.

The Jets don’t currently have another quarterback on their 53-man roster. Tim Boyle is on the practice squad but is not a season-long answer at quarterback, meaning the Jets will likely turn to the free agent and/or trade markets to provide competition for Wilson.

The book released odds on 24 potential candidates, ranging everywhere from a previous Super Bowl winner to the cheeky option of a former Heisman Trophy winner and current broadcaster.

Topping the list is Nick Foles at +300. The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after playing for Indianapolis last season but did lead Philadelphia to a victory in Super Bowl LII. That was the season he was an injury replacement for Carson Wentz, another free agent who appears on the list at +1200.

Another free agent option could be Colt McCoy, the 37-year-old journeyman who was expected to open the season as Arizona’s starter until he was released during final roster cuts.

If the Jets explore trade options, there are numerous veteran backups with starting experience. However, they’d likely have to target those who aren’t currently with AFC teams that consider the Jets a direct threat this season.

The shortest odds in the trade market belong to a pair of current backups in New Orleans. Jameis Winston (+350) is the primary backup to Derek Carr, while the Saints also have super-utilityman Taysom Hill (+500) as an option. Winston opened at +2200 shortly after Rodgers went down Monday night but had become the second favorite by the time the Jets confirmed the severity of the injury Tuesday.

Two more interesting options currently ply their trade in Texas. Davis Mills (+600) lost his starting job with the Texans to rookie C.J. Stroud, while Cooper Rush (+1000) proved very capable in winning four of the five starts he made for the Cowboys in place of Dak Prescott last season.

The Jets were considered a strong Super Bowl contender entering the season, which naturally raises the debate about whether Tom Brady would come out of retirement. For now, that possibility remains a remote +2000 option at SportsBetting.ag.

NEXT QB SIGNED/ACQUIRED BY JETS ODDS

Nick Foles (+300)

Jameis Winston (+350)

Colt McCoy (+400)

Taysom Hill (+500)

Davis Mills (+600)

Cooper Rush (+1000)

Carson Wentz (+1200)

Teddy Bridgewater (+1400)

Taylor Heinicke (+1600)

Case Keenum (+1800)

Marcus Mariota (+1800)

Tom Brady (+2000)

Jacoby Brissett (+2500)

Josh Johnson (+2500)

Mason Rudolph (+2800)

Joe Flacco (+3300)

Tyrod Taylor (+4000)

Andy Dalton (+3500)

Gardner Minshew (+4000)

Matt Ryan (+5000)

Russell Wilson (+7500)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (+7500)

Andrew Luck (+10000)

Tim Tebow (+15000)

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles (9) is driven off the field after an injury during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Ehlinger named QB1 as Colts fume over celebration

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sam Ehlinger was named the Week 18 starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, but that was hardly the main event Monday.

While quarterback Nick Foles (ribs) remains in physical pain and won’t play in the season finale, coach Jeff Saturday is sore at his offensive linemen for not coming to the aid of their fallen signal-caller.

New York Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrated his sack of Foles by doing snow angels right next to a writhing Foles during Sunday’s game, coming in contact with the QB during the display.

Saturday, who was a six-time Pro Bowl center, expressed disappointment on Monday that his linemen didn’t take matters into their own hands. He called Thibodeaux’s celebration “tasteless trash.”

“Disappointed from the O-line perspective and for teammates in general,” Saturday said. “We protect our own.”

As for Foles, Saturday said he’s “really sore … lot of pain” after suffering a rib injury on the hit from Thibodeaux.

While the sack from Foles’ blind side was clean, the Colts took umbrage with the rookie’s celebration while Foles was on the ground in pain.

“Hopefully his teammates will — maybe one day he’ll learn that injuries happen in this league, you never want to happen to the guy that you’re going against,” Colts center Ryan Kelly told reporters after the game. “That’s just horse****.”

Thibodeaux said he didn’t realize Foles was hurt while he was celebrating. A Colts trainer had to step around Thibodeaux and his celebration to tend to Foles.

Ehlinger replaced Foles and threw his first career touchdown in the Colts’ 38-10 loss to the Giants.

Ehlinger, 24, gets the nod for the Colts (4-11-1) against the visiting Houston Texans (2-13-1) and Matt Ryan will be QB2.

Ehlinger lost both of his previous starts against Washington and New England in Weeks 8-9. He has completed 41 of 66 passes for 364 yards this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ Matt Nagy not ready to name starter vs. Lions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy was confident in identifying his quarterback depth chart on Wednesday.

As for the identity of his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the visiting Detroit Lions, that’s a cloudier picture.

“As far as a QB update, I’m going to hit on a few things here, we expect both Andy (Dalton) and Justin (Fields) out at practice in some capacity and we’ll update their status based on their participation,” Nagy said Wednesday.

“In regard to the depth chart … Andy’s the (No.) 1, Justin’s the 2 and Nick (Foles) as the 3. Starter will be sorted out once we have a clearer picture moving forward here. We’ll know more and we’ll clear that up.”

Dalton, 33, sustained a bone bruise in his knee on Sept. 19 during the Bears’ 20-17 win against one of his former teams, the Cincinnati Bengals. He sat out Chicago’s 26-6 setback to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday.

Fields, 22, suffered a right hand injury during his first career start last Sunday. The Bears recorded 47 total yards (46 rushing, one passing) in 42 plays and yielded nine sacks in the loss.

Foles, 32, has yet to play since joining the Bears (1-2).

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Bears’ Trubisky to start at QB vs. Packers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mitchell Trubisky will start at quarterback when the Chicago Bears face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night in a key NFC North matchup.

Bears coach Matt Nagy made the announcement on Friday.

Trubisky started the first three games of the season and was replaced by veteran Nick Foles. Trubisky was 3-0; Foles has a 2-5 record.

Foles injured his hip on the final series of the Week 10 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Trubisky has been out with a shoulder injury.

“We’re excited that Mitch is ready and it’s an opportunity for him,” Nagy said.

Foles managed only 106 yards on 15-of-26 passing against the Vikings on Nov. 16. He was intercepted once. Tyler Bray came on to finish the game with Trubisky unavailable.

Nagy said Foles will travel to Green Bay and hasn’t ruled him out as a backup to Trubisky.

On the season, Trubisky is 51 of 86 for 560 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Foles, 31, has completed 65.0 percent (202 of 311) pass attempts for 1,852 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s been sacked 18 times.

Nagy also said the defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (hamstring) and left tackle Charles Leno (toe) will be game time decisions vs. Green Bay.

The Bears have lost four games in a row heading into the game against the Packers (7-3).

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2020; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterbacks Nick Foles (9) and Mitch Trubisky (10) and coach Dave Ragone during training camp Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Cassella/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Bears undecided on QB1 at Packers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Who will start for the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Sunday night?

On Monday, Bears head coach Matt Nagy said he’ll have to get back to the rest of the world — including the division-leading Green Bay Packers — with that answer.

Coming out of a bye week that began with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football,” the Bears are taking stock of the health status of their quarterbacks, Nagy said.

Nick Foles injured his hip on the final series of the Week 10 home loss to the Vikings. Mitchell Trubisky, who started for the Bears to begin the season, has been out with a shoulder injury.

Nagy said the team is “working through” the situation and keeping its options open for Sunday night’s visit to Green Bay. Nagy said a change at quarterback remains “on the table.”

The Bears won’t issue an official injury report until Wednesday. Neither quarterback is scheduled to meet with the media via video conference until Wednesday night.

The Packers (7-3) lost to the Colts in overtime at Indianapolis on Sunday but maintain a comfortable lead over the Bears (5-5) in the division. The teams are scheduled to meet in Chicago in the regular-season finale on Jan. 3.

Chicago has lost four games in a row and Foles has been sacked 14 times during that span.

Against Minnesota, Foles completed 15 of 26 pass attempts for 106 yards and posted a 51.1 passer rating.

Trubisky was benched three games into the regular season after Foles came off the bench to guide a comeback win at Atlanta on Sept. 27. Trubisky hasn’t practiced since Week 8, Nagy said, due to shoulder discomfort.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is tackled by New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Alex Anzalone (47) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears QB Trubisky dealing with shoulder injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears are evaluating a shoulder injury to quarterback Mitchell Trubisky that occurred in Sunday’s overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network reported.

Trubisky took just one snap in the game and ran for three yards before being tackled by linebacker Alex Anzalone.

The 26-year old started the season at quarterback for the Bears after winning the competition with Nick Foles. He started the first three games — all wins — before coach Matt Nagy decided to start Foles instead.

Since then, the Bears are 2-3.

Nagy said earlier this week that he had been thinking about utilizing Trubisky in the wildcat formation.

‘‘It’s a weapon for us to be able to use his legs, then obviously be able to throw the ball, as well,” Nagy said. ‘‘That’s something that we’re looking at. Every game could be a little bit different, but it’s something that teams have to prepare for.”

The Bears are scheduled to play the Titans (5-2) in Tennessee on Sunday. If Trubisky can’t play, practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray would be activated to back up Foles.

On the season, Trubisky is 51-of-86 passing for 560 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s added 90 yards rushing on nine carries.

Foles has completed 151 of his 233 pass attempts for 1,411 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s been picked off seven times. On the ground, he’s carried the ball 11 times for minus-1 yards and a score.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy with quarterback Nick Foles (9) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bears QB Foles claims Nagy criticism was ‘miscommunication’

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A quarterback controversy is breaking out in Chicago but it involves only one player — starter Nick Foles.

During the “Monday Night Football” broadcast of the Los Angeles Rams’ victory over the Bears, analyst Brian Griese opened a can of worms when he shared that Foles knows some of head coach Matt Nagy’s incoming play calls are destined for failure.

“We were talking to Nick Foles yesterday, and he said, ‘You know, sometimes play calls come in and I know that I don’t have time to execute that play call. You know, I’m the one out here getting hit. Sometimes the guy calling the plays, Matt Nagy, he doesn’t know how much time there is back here,’” Griese said in the fourth quarter of the ESPN broadcast. “So that’s something that they have to get worked out.”

Nagy was asked after the game about the comment and appeared to be more than surprised.

“Nick and I have a pretty good relationship, and he hasn’t said anything,” Nagy said. “I’m sure he’ll explain what he meant by that.”

The Bears are 2-2 since Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky as the starting quarterback. Foles said after Monday’s 24-10 loss to the Rams that his comments to Griese were not a dig at Nagy and more of a “miscommunication” to Griese, who played quarterback at Michigan and in the NFL.

“That was definitely a miscommunication with Brian and I. We do these pregame conversations the day before the game just to give them information,” Foles said after the game. “Coach Nagy and I have great conversations on the sidelines. So, there might be times we go through it beforehand and say, ‘What do you think?’ And there’s times you got to get the ball out quick and whatnot. But, in those situations, Matt and I have a great relationship on the sideline with conversations and everything. I think in that situation with Brian it was a miscommunication of words. That’s not what I was trying to bring across in that conversation.

“When Coach Nagy and I talk on the sidelines, we’ll go through plays and different situations and go through the defense. I’ll be honest, like, ‘Hey, right now, maybe get the ball out quicker. They’re bringing some pressures and whatnot.’ … Part of that was, ‘Hey, maybe we don’t have the time right now for this type of drop because of what they’re bringing, the pressures they’re bringing.’ It’s easier with that to go, ‘Hey, 1, 2, 3 ball out.’

“That’s where the (Griese) miscommunication lies. Those are actually conversations Coach Nagy and I have on the sidelines so that when we go to the field we’re ready to roll. I think that’s a valuable relationship I have with him, to be able to talk like that and understand specifically for me to talk about each game is its own entity so you have to understand how to play it in the appropriate way.”

Foles, 31, has completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,139 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He has been sacked eight times.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Buster Skrine (24) braces up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kieth Kirkwood (18) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bears beat Panthers, improve to 5-1

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Nick Foles threw for one touchdown and ran for another as the Chicago Bears won again, defeating the host Carolina Panthers 23-16 on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte, N.C.

Foles completed 23 of 39 passes for 198 yards in what was a defensive tussle between the teams. He also threw an interception.

Chicago (5-1) managed only 261 yards of total offense in picking up its third road victory of the season.

Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 16-for-29 for 216 yards with two interceptions.

Carolina (3-3) had 303 yards of total offense as its three-game winning streak ended.

The Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter, first on Mike Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run with 13:11 left. After a Cairo Santos field goal from 31 yards out for the Bears, Carolina struck again.

This time it was Joey Slye’s 48-yard field goal with 7:46 remaining to close the gap to 23-16.

Carolina’s last possession began at its own 20-yard line with 1:32 remaining. DeAndre Houston-Carson picked off Bridgewater on the first snap.

Foles opened the scoring on a 9-yard pass to Cole Kmet in the first quarter. That scoring opportunity was set up by Tashaun Gipson’s interception deep in Carolina territory on the game’s opening possession.

Then Chicago relied on Santos field goals from 31 and 55 yards for its scoring in the second quarter, the latter coming with two seconds left in the half to give the Bears a 13-6 lead.

Foles ran in from 1 yard out for the only touchdown in the third quarter. It capped a 10-play drive.

Carolina endured more red-zone snags, settling for Slye field goals of 21 and 20 yards through the first three quarters. By then, the Bears held a 20-6 lead. Those possessions lasted 14 and 13 plays, respectively.

Davis had 52 rushing yards on 18 carries for the Panthers, who played their fourth game in a row without injured star running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle). Carolina was also without receiver Curtis Samuel because of a knee ailment.

The Bears had rallied from 10 or more points behind to win three times this season but played from ahead during this game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2020; Lake Forest, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles (9) looks to pass the ball during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Close connections create complications for Colts, Bears

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears could face their toughest test yet this season when they host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago (3-0) enters Week 4 as one of seven unbeaten teams to start the 2020 campaign. It has been an unorthodox path to perfection for the Bears, who have won all three games by four-point margins. Furious three-TD rallies at Detroit Week 1 and in Atlanta last week with Nick Foles at the controls off the bench helped carve a most unpredictable path.

“It has truly taken everybody,” Bears tight end Jimmy Graham, who has three receiving touchdowns to lead the team. “It’s truly taken every player, every coach — offense, defense and special teams — to pull out these wins. And when you’re able to do things like this … that’s when you know you’re building something special.”

Foles heads into the Colts game as the Bears’ clear-cut No. 1 signal-caller after replacing teammate Mitchell Trubisky in the third quarter last week. Foles engineered a fourth-quarter rally to knock off the Atlanta Falcons and seize the starting job going forward.

For Foles and the Bears, the challenge figures to be tougher this week against the Colts (2-1). The Colts are guided by Frank Reich. The second-year head coach was with the Philadelphia Eagles as quarterback coach — and Foles’ bible study partner, meeting room mentor and friend — when Foles replaced Carson Wentz and won Super Bowl MVP.

“He was the one who really figured me out as a player,” Foles said of Reich’s tutelage in 2017.

Indianapolis is coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets.

The Colts rolled to a 36-7 victory over New York last week thanks in large part to an aggressive defense that registered two sacks and three interceptions against Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Colts have allowed only 225.3 yards per game, which is the best mark in the NFL. They’ll have plans to get Foles out of a rhythm.

“Nick is about as unflappable of a person as I’ve ever been around,” Foles said. “”He’s a very unique player in that regard. Extremely talented. He’s a big-time passer; this guy, he just has this knack for making big plays like few I’ve ever seen, and then he has this knack for coming up big in big moments. In the biggest moments, that’s usually when he’s at his best. … He’s a stud, man.”

Colts veteran quarterback Philip Rivers has skillfully managed the offense, completing 17 of 21 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown in his latest game. Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor added 59 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Taylor credited Rivers with setting the tone for the calm-and-steady Colts.

“Seventeen years, there’s not one defensive scheme that you can put in his face that he doesn’t have an answer to,” Taylor said. “When you have a guy who has experience like that, you know that you’re in good hands.”

The line of scrimmage could decide this showdown, and a special matchup is likely to take place on the interior as Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson goes up against Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.

Chicago’s defense as a whole will look for a better performance in Week 4. The Bears are No. 15 in the league with 364.0 yards allowed per game, and they have not yet shown the elite performance they hoped to achieve.

This is the first time the Bears and Colts have met since 2016, when Indianapolis held on for a 29-23 win at home. The Colts lead the all-time series 24-19 but have lost two of the last three matchups.

The Bears will be without dynamic running back Tarik Cohen, who tore his ACL last week against Atlanta and will miss the rest of the season. Cohen’s absence could mean a heavier workload for David Montgomery, and former Oregon State running back Artavis Pierce could make his NFL debut after the team promoted him from the practice squad this week.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Foles promoted to Bears’ starting role

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears are undefeated but still changing their quarterback as Nick Foles has been promoted to the starting job.

Bears coach Matt Nagy announced the change on Monday, one day after Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky and rallied Chicago (3-0) to a dramatic 30-26 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

“We got up this morning and went through the tape and at the end of it and we decided we’re going to go with Nick Foles as the starter,” Nagy said. “It’s never easy when you go into these types of situations. I want to credit both of those guys yesterday for being really supportive of each other.”

Foles replaced Trubisky with the Bears trailing the Falcons 26-10 in the third quarter. The 31-year-old former Super Bowl MVP threw three touchdown passes in final 6:24 to give Chicago an unlikely 30-26 win.

The winning score was a 28-yard throw to Anthony Miller with 1:53 left.

Foles completed 16 of 29 passes for 188 yards and one interception in addition to the scores. Trubisky was 13 of 22 for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception before being pulled.

Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in 2017, has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 560 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Nagy also confirmed that running back Tarik Cohen will miss the rest of the season due to a torn right ACL suffered against Atlanta.

Cohen was injured while fielding a punt. He called for a fair catch but Atlanta’s Brian Hill rolled into the back of the leg and it bent awkwardly.

The injury comes one week after Cohen signed a three-year, $17.3 million contract extension through the 2023 season.

The 25-year-old Cohen had 14 carries for 74 yards and six receptions for 41 yards this season.

The fourth-round selection of the 2017 draft from North Carolina A&T played in every game through his first three seasons, racking up 1,027 yards rushing, 1,534 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns. The 2018 first-team All-Pro also returned 95 punts and 30 kickoffs and threw two touchdown passes over that span.

–Field Level Media