Report: Nick Foles voids 2019 option by paying $2 million back to Eagles

Well, that was fast.

Not even an hour after it was reported that the Eagles are picking up Nick Foles’ option for the 2019 season, NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting Foles is choosing to void the deal by paying $2 million back to Philadelphia.

This course of action is not unexpected. It doesn’t necessarily guarantee Foles will enter free agency, though, as previously explained:

The only way the Eagles can block Foles from becoming a free agent is if they use the franchise tag on him. NFL insider Adam Schefter recently reported “that the Eagles ARE expected to use their franchise tag on him and they ARE expected to try to trade him.” The window to apply the franchise tag lasts from February 19 until March 5.

Tagging and trade Foles is possible but it’s not necessarily likely. There are challenges that come with doing that. Essentially, Howie Roseman has to be 100% sure he can trade Foles before he tags him or else the Eagles risk having Foles’ fully guaranteed $25+ million salary on the books for 2019.

We’ll see if the Eagles can find a way to trade Foles. If they can’t, he’ll be a free agent available to sign with any team when the new league year begins on March 13.

If Foles does sign with another team in free agency, the Eagles could potentially receive a compensatory pick for him in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia will move forward with Carson Wentz as their franchise quarterback.