The Chicago Bears are only physically paying Nick Foles $4 million in cash this season.
However, his dead cap value of $14.3 million prevents him from being released.
That means Foles is sticking around during a year when the team signed Andy Dalton and used a first-round pick on quarterback Justin Fields.
The Bears came right out and said Dalton was the starter, both before and after drafting Fields.
Foles was stuck in the background without a real role on the team.
That instantly put him in trade talks and that fact won’t go away until he is either moved or the deadline passes.
While the Bears do have a great future piece in Fields, they have put Foles in quite the awkward spot.
Trying To Stay Focused
A fired up Nick Foles talks about Frank Reich, Carson Wentz, what he wants in a trade, and more.
Foles: "The version of me right now is much better than the version that played in the Super Bowl … Put that through your mind."
This is worth the watch…pic.twitter.com/zVpsluax2l
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 2, 2021
Foles is still a veteran and is getting paid millions this year to be a third-string guy.
So life could be worse.
But in a football-centric focus, he still wants to get out there and play.
There is going to be a major lack of motivation on his end in Chicago as he knows he will only play in the case of an emergency.
He may also tell the coaches he has no desire to go out in the preseason behind a third-string offensive line.
That is just too dangerous for a veteran like him.
Foles is thus in a holding pattern where he may just be fully inactive until a trade is found.
Teams don’t need to see him perform in the preseason to know what he can do.
Obvious Trade Candidate
Nick Foles seems open to being traded to the Colts, but says he's a Chicago Bear right now.
h/t @RapSheet, @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/lhSjwkcwEK
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 2, 2021
The Indianapolis Colts could sure use Foles now that Carson Wentz is out following foot surgery.
Foles could team up with Frank Reich and bring some of that Eagles magic to Indiana.
But there are more logistics involved and the Colts don’t want to take on Foles if Wentz can indeed return near the start of the season.
So this situation with Foles in one that may stretch on throughout the month of August and potentially into September until the season is truly near.
The Bears are also in no rush at all, allowing them to take in the best offers.
Other injuries could also pop up around the league between now and Week 1, making Foles even more valuable on the market.
Ultimately, a trade would just be the right thing for both sides.
Foles has no future in Chicago and having Dalton in place means Fields already has a veteran to learn from.
Foles also clearly has his mind elsewhere, and that is not the best for a quarterback room featuring a rookie.
Let a young project quarterback work with the third-string offense and let Foles seek glory elsewhere.
NEXT: Nick Foles Would Welcome A Reunion With Certain Head Coach