It's one of the most unusual careers in NFL history that's coming to an end. This Thursday, Nick Foles released a video to announce that he's retiring from the NFL field.
The highlight of his career will remain the title won with the Eagles in 2017-2018. A season that he started on the bench, before taking over following the injury of Carson Wentz.
Wentz's injury seemed to cut off an excellent momentum of the Philadelphia franchise. And the following weeks were difficult. But in the playoffs, the magic happened. Especially in the Super Bowl. Not favored against Tom Brady's Patriots, Nick Foles returned a record of 28/43 for 373 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception.
Above all, he was on the receiving end of the Philly Special, a trick play on 4th attempt that gave Philadelphia the lead just before halftime. A blow from which New England recovered to regain the lead in the last quarter, but Nick Foles then went for another touchdown to put his team back in front for good. An unexpected victory that earned him the title of MVP of the match.
Nick Foles, vagabond ascending MVP
What makes Nick Foles' career so strange is that this Super Bowl win doesn't really cap a linear journey. Neither before nor after.
In his thank you video, he names his teams: the Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, the Eagles again, then the Jaguars, Bears and Colts.
Arriving in Philadelphia in the 3rd round of the 2012 Draft, he seemed to establish himself in 2013 with a season of 27 touchdowns for only 2 interceptions! But he did not confirm. And his travels began in 2015, with the Rams who offered him a starting position. But he did not convince, with 7 touchdowns for 10 interceptions. 2015 remained his last season with more than 10 games started!
Because even after the consecration of February 2018, he did not impose himself. He only played 5 games for the Eagles in 2018. Then, his stints in Jacksonville, Chicago and Indianapolis were all failures.
Cut in May 2023, he didn't even find a team last season. At 35, he hangs up his boots with hero status in Philadelphia, without ever having been an undisputed starter once in his career.