It’s a battle of the ex-backups
Foles and Keenum have come a long way as starting QBs in an NFC title match
PHILADELPHIA — Of course Nick Foles and Case Keenum are the starting quarterbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game. Who didn’t see this coming? “It’s pretty wild,” Foles said on Wednesday. “Absolutely.” Pfft. OK, well maybe if you didn’t anticipate the specific QB carousel that started when Foles’ run as the Eagles starter ended with a broken collarbone, and a 6-2 record, in 2014.
A few months later he was traded, along with a second-round pick, to the Rams for Sam Bradford, who will be Minnesota’s backup on Sunday.
Things didn’t work out well for Foles in St. Louis. He lost his starting job. To Keenum. Just 25 years old, Foles considered retirement.
“There’s going to be some point where we’re all finished playing,” he said. "I had to take a week off, when I was a free agent, just to think about it, and it was the best thing that ever happened because I think people are fearful of feeling that way, because they feel like they are the only ones that feel that way. But everyone, we’re professional athletes and we have moments where we step back and we have to assess everything in life.
“Like I have a family, I have a wife, I have a daughter, I have a dog. I talked a lot to my wife and I remember just saying a prayer. And my heart said go back.”
Enticing was an offer to play for his old Philly coach Andy Reid again, this time in Kansas City.
Meanwhile, the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz and traded Bradford to Minnesota. When Bradford got injured, the Vikings signed Keenum. Foles returned to Philadelphia, and has now replaced the injured Wentz.
So yeah, on Sunday either Foles or Keenum will be advancing to the Super Bowl.
Again, who didn’t see this coming?
“It’s been a crazy journey,” Foles said of being the Eagles starter four years after he last held the job. “We’re blessed to be in this game. It’s been a wild ride this season. We’ve had so many things go on, so many guys step up, so many injuries to guys who have done an amazing job of staying around the building and being a huge part of the heartbeat of this team. That’s the DNA here.”
One of those guys is Wentz, who helps with game planning while his injured knee mends.
“He’s a huge reason we’re in this position,” said Foles. "He’s done such an amazing job in his two years in the NFL of continuing to create this atmosphere, of going out there and making electric plays, but really just making everyone believe. That hasn’t changed, even though he’s injured. He’s still around, and I love having him around.
“When we’re watching film, when I’m in the game and I go to the sidelines, just talking to him, seeing what he sees ... it’s been really special to see his attitude and his heart through this whole thing.”
Of the four remaining teams, three are led by quarterbacks who didn’t have a playoff victory before this month — Foles, Keenum and Blake Bortles — while Tom Brady is gunning for his sixth Super Bowl.
Of course, if the hand injury Brady suffered at Wednesday’s practice is serious, the Patriots — along with wishing they hadn’t traded Jimmy Garoppolo — will turn to Brian Hoyer. The 32-year old journeyman threw four interceptions in his only playoff game, the Houston Texans’ 30-0 loss to the Chiefs in 2016. Backups have to be ready. “I know being around Case, he does an amazing job preparing and working and just being a great team player,” said Foles. "Sometimes things happen where unfortunately guys get injured, and you have to step in and it’s your job to lead the team. That was my job stepping in for Carson, to lead this team like I have before.
“The big thing is you just have to constantly prepare and make sure you’re watching every single rep, because eventually if you do go in, you’re going to be glad you did.”
Keenum took his opportunity and ran with it. He has proven to be a capable starter. Even if he doesn’t win another game this season, he’ll almost certainly get offered a job to be the No. 1 guy on some team.
Foles has one year left on his deal with the Eagles. He’ll make $4 million as Wentz’ backup.
Unless the QB carousel spins them all around and spits them out someplace else again.