Colts in discussions to bring in QB Nick Foles as Matt Ryan’s backup

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have been in discussions with veteran quarterback Nick Foles about changing into the group’s major backup behind Matt Ryan, a number of sources confirmed to IndyStar on Friday, however a contract hasn’t been reached but.

Including Foles in a backup function has lengthy made sense for Indianapolis.

Foles has a superb relationship, each personally and professionally, with Colts head coach Frank Reich from their time collectively in Philadelphia, and Foles additionally has historical past with Indianapolis common supervisor Chris Ballard after spending the 2016 season collectively in Kansas Metropolis.

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Foles, 33, has lengthy been one of many NFL’s finest backup quarterbacks, a repute cemented when he took over for an injured Carson Wentz, the Colts’ starter final season, in 2017 and took the Eagles to a Tremendous Bowl win over New England, a sport immortalized by the “Philly Particular” landing.

Reich was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator that season, and Foles has lengthy credited the Colts head coach for the best way he performed in that postseason run.

“He’s one of many biggest lecturers of soccer,” Foles stated at Reich’s Name to Braveness Awards Breakfast in Buffalo two weeks in the past. “I discovered extra with him and that employees in that season, in 2017, than I ever have.”

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Foles stepped in for Wentz once more within the playoffs the following season, main the Eagles to a wild card win over Chicago and practically beating the New Orleans Saints within the divisional spherical, a efficiency that earned him a four-year, $88 million deal to be the starter in Jacksonville.

However the quarterback broke his collarbone within the first quarter of his first sport with the Jaguars, misplaced the job to Gardner Minshew and was traded to Chicago the following season as competitors for Mitch Trubisky. Foles ended up beginning seven video games for the Bears in 2020, however Chicago wasn’t an excellent match, and he spent the 2021 season because the group’s No. 3 quarterback, though he did lead the Bears to a 25-24 win over Seattle in his solely begin of the season.

Personally, Reich and Foles have bonded carefully, partly due to their relationship on the sector and partly due to their shared religion; Reich named Foles the nineteenth winner of his Name to Braveness Award in Buffalo two weeks in the past, and performed a key function in serving to Foles earn a grasp of divinity diploma.

“We’ve talked about (their shared historical past as backup quarterbacks) somewhat bit. Truly not an entire lot, I believe it’s simply been an understood factor,” Reich stated. “That middle, the place that comes from, is a deep connection.”

Indianapolis has a necessity for a confirmed backup quarterback.

Ryan has been remarkably sturdy in his profession, lacking simply three begins in 14 seasons, however the Colts solely have second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger behind him, and Ehlinger stays unproven.

Foles would instantly fill the necessity for a veteran backup that has been lacking from the Indianapolis roster since Jacoby Brissett’s departure in free company final offseason. When Carson Wentz was battling sprained ankles early final season, the Colts didn’t have a dependable backup quarterback.

Foles may very well be that participant.