Cleveland Browns should still not trade for quarterback Nick Foles

Cleveland Browns fans watching Super Bowl 52 saw a great performance by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. So is Foles the new and hot quarterback for the Browns?

On July 28, 2016, I wrote an article titled “Cleveland Browns should not sign Nick Foles”. Of course, after Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was named MVP of Super Bowl 52 after leading the Eagles on Sunday to their first ever Super Bowl win, fans on Twitter and Facebook took to throwing this article back at me. Their point is that my analysis of the situation was grossly errant.

https://twitter.com/B_Rich33NO/status/960489354929037313

Kudos Brian Richmond for calling me out on Twitter for the apparent gaffe. It is good to see people doing research and finding ways to create entertainment.

It is worth noting that the Browns reportedly tried to trade wide receiver Josh Gordon to the Eagles for Nick Foles in 2013. The teams were apparently in serious discussions as then Browns team president Joe Banner (who famously got a first-round pick for running back Trent Richardson) had drafted Foles during his tenure with the Eagles before joining the Browns.

The deal obviously did not happen, but would Browns fans do the deal now if it were offered?

Even now, after two seasons, a Super Bowl victory and Super Bowl MVP award, Foles is not the answer at quarterback for the Browns. Just for kicks, let’s look back at my arguments against signing Foles in 2016 to see if they stack up now.

First, I argued that Foles lacked the competitive spirit to lead a football team. At the time, he requested his release from the newly relocated Los Angeles Rams after they drafted quarterback Jared Goff with the first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

It was reported during the Super Bowl broadcast that Foles contemplated retirement after his release. At the time I wrote the article, my analysis was correct. However, Foles caught on in Kansas City under then-Chiefs general manager John Dorsey.

In Kansas City, Foles got his groove back, found his competitive spirit and has become a different player than the one who asked for his release in the face of adversity. Contemplating retirement was a life defining moment for him.

Whatever he did to get his groove back is the difference between the 2016 version of Foles and the 2018 version of Foles. The Foles of 2016 was not a good option for the Browns.

Second, I argued that the combination of then Browns quarterbacks Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III and Cody Kessler could all beat out Foles. Of course, who knew that Kessler would become what he has become. Griffin got injured early in the 2016 season and McCown is no longer with the Browns.

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My argument was that Foles did not add to the quarterback room. At present, Foles is a better option than Griffin, Kessler and McCown. But in 2016 he was not.

Third, I argued that Foles was a mid-level veteran with a mid-level contract, the type of player and contract that the Browns were trying to shed in the face of a burgeoning rebuilding effort. This was still the right call in 2016.

Even today, Foles is not a franchise quarterback. The Eagles franchise quarterback is Carson Wentz – everyone in Philadelphia will confirm it. Foles is an excellent backup that succeeds when an offense can be tailored to his skill set.

In Super Bowl 52, the Eagles ran a modified run-pass-option offense designed to keep the New England Patriots defense honest by threatening the defense in multiple areas on each play. These plays give the Patriots fits; these same offenses give the Alabama Crimson Tide and their head coach (and Belichick disciple) Nick Saban problems.

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Foles is not a franchise quarterback and the Browns should not trade for him. Foles was the right guy, in the right place, at the right time with the right coach to put him in position to succeed. He performed when called upon. Congratulations Nick Foles. Well done. America thanks you for the victory.

But does anyone really think Browns head coach Hue Jackson will tailor his offense to Foles’ skill set? Has he done it for anyone else? What makes any Browns fan think he will do it now?

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