Nicholas Edward Foles (born January 20, 1989) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. A member of six teams, he achieved his greatest success with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Foles played college football for the Arizona Wildcats and was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. He had a breakout season in 2013 when he set the NFL season record for the best touchdown–interception ratio and led the Eagles to a division title, earning him Pro Bowl honors. Foles was traded to the St. Louis Rams after being unable to duplicate his success the following year and struggled during his one season. He spent the 2016 season as a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Foles returned to the Eagles in 2017 as Carson Wentz's backup, but was promoted to starter when Wentz was injured near the end of the season. He led the Eagles throughout their playoff run, which culminated with a victory in Super Bowl LII and him earning the game's MVP award. Initially returning to his backup role in 2018, Foles guided Philadelphia on another postseason run after Wentz was again lost to injury. Foles opted out of his contract with the Eagles to join the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, but suffered an injury during the season opener that caused him to miss most of the year. He played his last three seasons as a backup and starter with the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts.
Foles was born and raised in Austin, Texas, the son of restaurateurs Larry and Melissa Foles. He graduated from Westlake High School in 2007.
A two-year starter for the football team, Foles threw for 5,658 yards and 56 touchdowns, breaking most school records previously held by Foles' future NFL opponent, Drew Brees.
Foles also excelled at basketball, where he started three years, twice received team MVP honors, and was recruited by Georgetown, Baylor, and Texas. Foles also played high school football with Justin Tucker, a former kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, and Kyle Adams, a former tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears.
Foles originally committed to Arizona State, but later decided to attend Michigan State. He ultimately transferred to the University of Arizona.
Foles attended Michigan State for one year. He appeared in a game against UAB, completing five of eight passes for 57 yards.
After a year at Michigan State, Foles transferred to the University of Arizona and had to redshirt his 2008 freshman season.
After quarterback Willie Tuitama graduated, Foles competed with expected successor Matt Scott, who got the nod after spring practice because the coaches believed he could run effectively as well as pass. Despite victories against Central Michigan and Northern Arizona, Scott struggled against Iowa and the next week was benched in favor of Foles. In Corvallis, Foles led the Wildcats to a victory against Oregon State. He started the rest of the season, completing 260 of 409 passes for 2,486 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
As a redshirt junior in 2010, Foles was the unquestioned starter. Foles led the Wildcats to a 7–1 start, including a victory against #9 Iowa on national television. Foles led the game-winning drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Bug Wright. A knee injury in the Washington State game sidelined him for two games, but Foles finished off his junior year with 3,191 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
During the 2011 season, Foles completed 387 of 560 passes for 4,334 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He ranked first in the Pac-12 Conference and fifth among all NCAA Division I FBS players with an average of 352.58 yards of total offense per game. Foles also ranked second in the Pac-12 and 20th among all FBS players in total passing yardage.
Foles graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in communications.
Philadelphia Eagles (first stint)
Foles was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (88th overall) in the 2012 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on May 21, 2012.
Despite speculation that Foles would start the Eagles' Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, Eagles coach Andy Reid stated that Michael Vick would start that game. The following week against the division rival Dallas Cowboys, after Vick left the game in the second quarter with concussion symptoms, Foles made his NFL debut. Foles threw his first career touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin for 44 yards and finished with 22 completed passes out of 32 attempts for 219 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. With Philadelphia behind 31–23 in the last minute, Foles lost the ball as he was sacked, and Jason Hatcher of the Cowboys recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Vick was eventually ruled out of the following game against the Washington Redskins in Week 11, and Foles made his first career start. Philadelphia lost to the Redskins 31–6, and Foles completed 21-for-47 passes for 204 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
On December 3, 2012, Eagles coach Andy Reid announced that Foles would start for the rest of the year, regardless of when Vick returned from a concussion. During Week 14, Foles earned his first win as a starter in a narrow 23–21 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With two seconds remaining on the clock and Philadelphia down 21–16 at the Bucs' one-yard line, Foles threw a one-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin for the game-winning touchdown as time expired. He finished the game with 381 passing yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the final four minutes, to go along with 27 rushing yards and a touchdown. On December 23, Foles broke his hand against the Redskins, and was replaced by Vick in the season finale against the New York Giants. Three days later, Foles was placed on injured reserve.
Going into training camp, new head coach Chip Kelly announced that Foles would compete with Vick and newly drafted rookie Matt Barkley for the Eagles starting quarterback job in the 2013 season. Going into preseason, it became clear that the job was a two-way battle between Foles and Vick. Foles played average during preseason while Vick excelled past him. On August 20, it was announced that Vick would start the season and Foles would be the backup.