The Philadelphia Eagles could consider a Nick Foles trade this offseason if Chip Kelly tries to target Marcus Mariota in the draft and if that happens, teams like the Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills could be interested in making a move and this comes as LeSean McCoy could be in danger of getting released as a salary cap casualty without a new contract agreement.
Foles is coming into the offseason after being injured and missing half of the 2014 season, starting just eight games this past year. Foles had a strong season in 2013, but he regressed a bit in the eight games he played this past season and that could spark a trade for Kelly. According to NJ.com, Foles could be a target for the St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns if the Eagles look at trading the quarterback.
NJ.com reported earlier in the offseason that Kelly and the Eagles were interested in making trades to move up to draft Mariota and Foles could be part of that plan. Mel Kiper has predicted that Mariota could fall down past even the Jets at number six in the draft and if that happens, expect the Eagles to trade up. If Mariota slips there will be a number of teams looking to move up, with Kiper saying the Eagles and Browns as possibilities.
Kelly was not with the Eagles when Foles was drafted and while he has put up some solid numbers, he may not be ready to make him the franchise quarterback moving forward. The Rams interest is something to watch, as they have a top 10 draft pick and that could be the first of multiple moves for Kelly. Kelly has been linked to Mariota for a while due to the fact that he was his coach at Oregon and now many have speculated that he could move up to get him. NJ.com reported after Mariota declared for the draft that Kelly could have interested and that the Eagles are "plotting multiple" moves to get up to draft him.
Foles comes in after passing for 13 touchdowns and 10 picks this season in eight games, down from his 27 TDs and two interceptions in 2013. McCoy is another player to watch, as the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News reports that he will not take a pay cut. The Eagles want to get his $12 million cap number down and the report says he will consider a restructure, but not a pay cut.
The Eagles finished the season 10-6 last year and while that was the same record as they had in 2013, it was not good enough to make the playoffs. The Eagles were one of the best offensive teams in the league last season, ranking sixth in passing yards per game and ninth in rushing yards, but the defense struggled. The team ranked 31st in passing yards allowed per game and Kelly needs to focus on that side of the ball this offseason.
Some free agent options for the team include Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, while BJ Raji and Mike Patterson also could be in the mix on the defensive line. The Eagles could look at short term options at quarterback, like bringing back Mark Sanchez or signing Brian Hoyer, but Kelly likely wants a franchise QB soon. If Foles is not that guy, Kelly will have to make some moves to get another quarterback to take over and he could consider the major Mariota trade.
