Nick Foles not a loser in Eagles’ quarterback battle

When a quarterback loses a preseason battle to be a team’s starter, it’s easy to see how said player could be a little down, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Although Michael Vick enters the season as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, Nick Foles didn’t watch his opportunity to be a starting quarterback slip away with head coach Chip Kelly’s decision. In fact, it’s probably only the beginning for Foles.

Largely due to a weak quarterback class, there are a number of QB needy teams in the league. Although it would be a surprising move to see the Eagles move Foles this season, if Vick is indeed their answer, Foles is more valuable as a trading piece than as a backup quarterback.

Nick Foles is under contract through the 2015 season at an insanely low price. For the level of talent, he’s a steal, and that could aid the Eagles in moving him in a trade next offseason. By picking him up, he would carry little more risk than the player or pick traded to bring him to another team.

It’s that small contract that may force the Eagles to move him sooner (like 2014) rather than later too. The longer the Eagles wait to trade him, the less that low contract price tag will influence potential trading partners.

Nick Foles hasn’t exactly been a preseason standout this year, but he’s been efficient and smart with the football. The fact is, Michael Vick won the Eagles starting job through superior, even great at times, play. Foles didn’t lose the job due to poor play, and that’s why he’ll be a hot item next offseason.

For now, Nick Foles will have to wait to be a starter. Michael Vick takes a lot of hits, and it’s completely possible the Eagles will need Foles in 2013, giving him even more opportunities to prove that he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. For now, he’ll have to settle for being one of the best backups in the league.

About Shane Clemons

Shane Clemons came from humble beginnings creating his own Jaguars blog before moving on to SBNation as a featured writer for the Jaguars. He then moved to Bloguin where he briefly covered the AFC South before taking over Bloguin's Jaguars blog. Since the inception of This Given Sunday, Shane has served as an editor for the site, doing his best not to mess up a good thing.

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