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.
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Early life
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.
College career
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.
Professional career
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.
St. Louis Rams
On March 10, 2015, the Eagles traded Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick, and a 2016 second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for Sam Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick. Foles signed a two-year, $24.5 million extension with the Rams on August 7.
Foles' first game with the team came against the division rival Seattle Seahawks, who had the league's No. 1 defense in 2013 and 2014. Foles completed 18 for 27 passes for 297 yards, and his lone passing touchdown came with 53 seconds left, bringing the game into overtime. He also ran for 11 yards and a touchdown, which put the Rams in the lead in the middle of the second quarter. In overtime, Foles threw a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Stedman Bailey, which set up the Rams' game-winning field goal over the defending NFC Champions.
Following the dramatic win, Foles struggled against his former divisional rival, the Washington Redskins. Although he did not turn the ball over, Foles only completed 17 of 32 passes for 150 yards and the Rams lone touchdown as they lost 24–10. His accuracy improved the following week, going 19 of 28 for 197 yards, but he threw no touchdowns and his first interception as a Ram against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Rams dropped to 1–2. Following the two losses, Foles bounced back, going 16 of 24 for two touchdowns and no turnovers to hand the 3–0 Arizona Cardinals their first loss of the season. After that game, Foles' problems with turnovers from 2014 started to show, as he completed 11 passes out of 30 for 141 yards, a touchdown, and a career-high four interceptions against the Green Bay Packers.
On November 16, Foles was benched in favor of Case Keenum. He won his starting job back two weeks later after Keenum was out with a concussion, but his struggles worsened. In a loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, Foles went 30–46 for 228 yards (his second highest total of the year) and three interceptions, and followed it up by going 15/35 for 146 yards and an interception in a 27–3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Foles was again benched after Keenum returned from his concussion.
Upset that the now-Los Angeles Rams drafted quarterback Jared Goff as the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft, Foles requested and was granted a release on July 27, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs
After reportedly contemplating retirement after his rough season with the Rams, Foles signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on August 3, 2016. It was a one-year deal worth $1.75 million and included a second-year option for 2017, worth between $6.75 million and $16 million depending on his performance during the Chiefs' 2016 season.
During Week 8 at Indianapolis Colts after Alex Smith left the game with a concussion, Foles took over for the remainder of the game, and finished with 223 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs announced that Foles would start in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars as Smith was still recovering from injury. Foles won the game over the Jaguars, 19–14, and finished 20–33 with 187 yards and a touchdown. The next day, Smith was announced to start Week 10.
On March 9, 2017, the Chiefs declined a second-year option on his contract, making him a free agent.
Philadelphia Eagles (second stint)
On March 13, 2017, Foles signed a two-year contract to return to the Philadelphia Eagles to back up 2016 first-round pick Carson Wentz.
During Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, Foles came in relief of Wentz, who left the game with a torn ACL. Foles completed 6 of 10 passes for 42 yards in the 43–35 road victory, clinching their first division title since 2013. On December 11, 2017, head coach Doug Pederson announced that Foles would be the starter after Wentz was ruled out for the season. Starting his first game of the season in Week 15, Foles threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns in a 34–29 road victory over the New York Giants. The following week, he helped the Eagles defeat the Raiders by a score of 19–10. Foles was 19-of-38 for 163 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Foles had a limited role to avoid injury in the regular season finale, a 6–0 loss to the Cowboys.
On January 13, 2018, the Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons 15–10 in the NFC Divisional playoff game, with Foles completing 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards. This was the Eagles' first playoff victory in nine seasons. On January 21, 2018, the Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 38–7, in the NFC Championship Game, with Foles going 26 of 33 for 352 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings were 3-point favorites with the league's top-ranked defense entering the game.
In Super Bowl LII, Foles caught a touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton, becoming the first player to both throw and catch a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl, while also being the third quarterback to catch a pass in a Super Bowl, after John Elway in Super Bowl XXII and Jim Kelly in Super Bowl XXVI. However, unlike Foles, each of those quarterbacks would go on to lose the game. The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41–33 to win their first Super Bowl. Foles completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.
During the Super Bowl LII run, Foles garnered the nickname “Big Dick Nick”, which became a fan chant among supporters.
On April 20, 2018, Foles and the Eagles agreed on a new revised contract that would contain a $2 million bonus and millions of dollars in incentives if he were to become the starting quarterback, as well as a mutual option for 2019.
Jacksonville Jaguars
On March 13, 2019, Foles signed a four-year contract worth $88 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. $50.1 million was guaranteed and could pay up to $102 million with incentives.
Foles started in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs completing 5 of 8 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown, but suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and was ruled out the rest of the game. It was later revealed that he suffered a broken left clavicle, and he underwent surgery the next day. Foles was designated for return from injured reserve on October 23, 2019, and began practicing with the team. On November 5, Foles was activated and was named the starting quarterback over rookie Gardner Minshew, who had been filling in for him as the starter.
Foles made his return from injury in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, throwing for 296 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception during the 33–13 loss. Two weeks later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Foles completed 7 of 14 passes for just 93 yards with an interception and no touchdowns (and also losing 2 fumbles) before being benched for Minshew after the Jaguars were losing by a score of 25–0 at halftime. Without Foles, the Jaguars went on to lose 28–11. Days after the game, head coach Doug Marrone announced that Foles would be benched and Minshew would retake the starting job. Foles would finish the 2019 season with only four starts in four games, throwing for 736 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Chicago Bears
Foles was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a compensatory fourth-round 2020 NFL draft pick on March 31, 2020. He competed with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback position during training camp, eventually losing and becoming the backup.
After seeing no action in the first two games of the 2020 season, Foles replaced a struggling Trubisky in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons as the Bears trailed by 16 points. Foles completed 16 of 29 passes for 188 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception as he led the team to a 30–26 comeback road victory. A day after the win, Foles was officially named the starter.
During Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, Foles threw for 243 yards, one touchdown, and an interception in the narrow 20–19 victory, marking his first win as the Bears' starting quarterback, having defeated Tom Brady. In Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, Foles threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns during the 24–17 road loss.
In Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, Foles threw for 106 yards and an interception before suffering a hip injury that required him to be carted off the field after being slammed to the turf late in the fourth quarter. He was replaced by his backup Tyler Bray with 34 seconds left during the 19–13 loss. With Foles recovering from his injury, Trubisky returned to the starting position for the following game against the Green Bay Packers. Once again the backup, Foles did not see action until Week 16 in Jacksonville when he took over during garbage time in the fourth quarter; he mostly handed off the ball and his lone pass attempt was incomplete as the Bears defeated his former team 41–17.
After being a healthy scratch throughout most of the 2021 season, Foles made his first start in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks due to Justin Fields and Andy Dalton dealing with injuries. Foles threw for 250 yards and the game-winning touchdown to Jimmy Graham in the narrow 25–24 victory.
Foles was waived on May 1, 2022.
Indianapolis Colts
Foles signed a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts on May 23, 2022.
After spending the first 15 weeks as a backup, only appearing on two snaps, Foles was named the Colts' starter for their Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw for 143 yards and three interceptions in the 20–3 loss. Foles was again named the starter for their Week 17 game against the New York Giants, but was injured during the game after a sack by Kayvon Thibodeaux in the second quarter in the 38–10 loss. He did not play again that season and was released on May 5, 2023.
Retirement
After going unsigned in 2023, Foles officially announced his retirement from the NFL as an Eagle on August 8, 2024. On September 16, Foles signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire with the Eagles and served as the team's honorary captain later that day for their 2024 season home opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Career statistics
Career highlights
Awards and honors
NFL
Super Bowl champion (LII)
Super Bowl MVP (LII)
Pro Bowl (2013)
Pro Bowl Offensive MVP (2013)
NFL passer rating leader (2013)
Ranked No. 70 in the Top 100 Players of 2014
NFC Offensive Player of the Month (November 2013)
3× NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 6, 2013; Week 9, 2013; Week 16, 2018)
College
Honorable mention All-Pac-12 (2011)
Records
NFL record seven touchdown passes in a game (tied)
NFL record highest completion percentage in a game with 7 TD passes: 78.57 (2013)
NFL record most passing touchdowns (7) with a perfect passer rating (158.3) in a game (2013)
NFL record best touchdown pass–interception differential in a single game: 7 TDs, 0 INTs (2013) (tied)
NFL record most consecutive pass completions (25) (tied with Philip Rivers and Ryan Tannehill)
NFL record most consecutive pass completions (25) in one game (tied with Philip Rivers)
NFL record highest playoff career completion percentage: 68.1%
Personal life
Foles is a Christian. In 2018, he was working online as a graduate student at Liberty University, earning his master's degree in divinity. Foles has stated that he plans to become a pastor after his football career, saying, "I want to be a pastor [...] I took a leap of faith last year and signed up to take classes at seminary. I wanted to continue to learn and challenge my faith. It's a challenge because you are writing papers that are biblically correct."
Foles married Tori Moore, who is the younger sister of former NFL tight end Evan Moore, in 2014. Moore and Foles were briefly teammates with the Eagles in 2012. The couple's daughter was born in 2017. Their son was born on June 19, 2020.
While playing for the Eagles, Foles lived in Haddonfield, New Jersey, but put the home up for sale after signing with the Jaguars in 2019. He then purchased a home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, that same year, but put it up for sale in 2020 after being traded to the Bears. In 2020, Foles purchased a home in Glencoe, Illinois, for $2.8 million.
In 2018, Foles wrote his autobiography, Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure, and Overcoming the Odds, which debuted at No. 5 on the New York Times best-seller list. He donated the proceeds of the book to charity. Foles also has his own charitable foundation called the Foles Believe Foundation.