Cleveland Browns: Eagles did Browns a favor rejecting Nick Foles trade
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns reportedly offered the Eagles a second-round pick for Nick Foles, but they may be better off with Tyrod Taylor who cost a third rounder
This offseason, the Cleveland Browns were serious about getting a new quarterback. They went out and acquired Tyrod Taylor in exchange for a third-round pick.
In addition to Taylor, the Browns selected Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick and signed veteran backup Drew Stanton.
However, that could have looked a little different for them. Cleveland reportedly offered one of their three second round picks to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
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According to Michael Silver of NFL.com, the Browns were dangling the No. 35 pick for Foles, who was approached by the Eagles about the deal, but apparently wanted to stay in Philly.
"“Before rejecting the deal, two sources said, the Eagles ran the scenario by Foles, who said he preferred to remain in Philadelphia. In April, the Eagles and Foles agreed to a re-worked contract that gave him a $2 million bonus for 2018 and allowed him to earn up to $14 million in incentives, while creating a “mutual option” for him to remain with the team in 2019. (Basically, Foles is free to leave if he pays back the $2 million.)” — Silver, NFL.com"
While Foles was able to fill in for an injured Carson Wentz nicely, the Browns actually lucked out in this scenario. Nothing against Foles, but Taylor seems to be the better choice to start under center as they groom Mayfield.
Not only are Taylor and Mayfield more similar as players, but the Browns actually got a better deal by trading away a third-round pick for their new starter.
With that No. 35 pick, the Browns were able to get Georgia running back Nick Chubb — who could wind up being a star for years, while Foles likely would have been a one-year rental, giving way to Mayfield in the near future.
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So thank you Eagles. While Foles could have been a decent starter, Taylor has the potential to be better and the Browns were still able to get a bruising back in Chubb.