Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles could look to trade Nick Foles and more fallout from Super Bowl

Jay Asser 17:50 05/02/2018
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  • Nick Foles has proven he deserves a starting job somewhere in the league.

    Super Bowl LII isn’t even 24 hours old yet, but the fallout from the game has inspired some interesting questions going forward.

    Here are three topics of discussion to keep an eye on as we head into the offseason.

    Who will buy high on Foles?

    Back-up-turned-starter Nick Foles just pulled off an improbable run to the title and aside from bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia, the Super Bowl MVP could soon be netting the franchise assets to bolster a championship-winning roster.

    The Eagles aren’t turning their backs on Carson Wentz, their franchise quarterback who was an MVP frontrunner before suffering an ACL tear in Week 14. He’ll return under centre when he’s healthy, with all signs pointing to that being the start of next season. And while Foles won’t be a free agent this offseason, there’s a strong chance he’s on another team by summertime.

    For one, Foles’ stock will never be higher than it is now after he just proved he’s not only a starter in the league, but one who can win you a Super Bowl. And secondly, his contract is structured in such a way that if he’s still on Philadelphia’s roster come February 2019, the final three years of his deal will be void and he’ll hit a free agency.

    Expect the Eagles to field plenty of offers for Foles over the coming months and strike while the iron is hot.

    McDaniels replacing Belichick?

    Somewhat lost in the shuffle during the craziness of the Super Bowl was a report by ProFootball Talk that “there is increasing chatter that Josh McDaniels will be staying with the [Patriots].”

    While it’s nothing definitive, it is a bombshell nonetheless because McDaniels was expected to fill Indianapolis’ head coaching vacancy all along and leave New England like defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who will take the Detroit job.

    McDaniels refused to talk about the speculation after the Super Bowl loss, so it’s still unclear if he’s going or not. But it certainly wouldn’t help his reputation if he backs out of an unofficial acceptance of the Colts job.

    But maybe McDaniels doesn’t care because he’s gotten word from Bill Belichick that the Patriots’ head coaching position will be open sooner than later. It would be a surprise if Belichick called it quits now, but in a couple years or so? That wouldn’t be out of the question at all. McDaniels could be happy biding a little more time.

    Gronk spike no more?

    The most interesting quote anyone with the Patriots gave on the topic of retirement after the Super Bowl defeat was shockingly Rob Gronkowski.

    The 28-year-old tight end is at the top of his game and in his prime as arguably the greatest player at his position ever, but Gronkowski was noncommittal about his future, saying: I’m going to sit down the next couple of weeks and see where I’m at.”

    You can understand where Gronk is coming from as he’s suffered multiple devastating injuries in his career and was just in concussion protocol ahead of the Super Bowl. Even with his size, he takes massive punishment from hard-hitting defensive players and plays a physical style.

    But this isn’t the first time a player has publicly mulled retirement after their season ended in unsavoury fashion. The Super Bowl especially is an emotional game, which often leaves players looking inward in the immediate aftermath. It’s possible that after sleeping on it for a few days or weeks, Gronkowski will feel differently.

    If it is somehow the end for Gronk, it’s been one special career.

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