Foles welcomes being a starter

The Associated Press

Tom JACKSONVILLE,

Coughlin gushed about Nick Foles for several minutes and then had one request for his new Jaguars quarterback.

“I hope every game in 2019 is like the Oakland game of 2013,” said Coughlin, the franchise’s top executive.

That’s the game in which Foles threw for 406 yards, with seven touchdown passes, no interceptions and a perfect (158.3) quarterback rating.

Foles nodded his head, smiled and turned to look at coach Doug Marrone.

No pressure, Nick.

The Jaguars formally introduced Foles on Thursday, hours after he signed a four-year, $88 million contract that includes $50.125 million guaranteed.

Foles welcomed being a starter again, embraced his new home, and gave Jacksonville the belief it has a franchise quarterback for the first time since Mark Brunell led the team to two AFC championship games (1997, 2000).

“This is a real good day,” Coughlin said. “This signing signals change and a new start for the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

It also signals the end of the Blake Bortles era.

Coughlin and general manager Dave Caldwell both said they have no regrets about giving Bortles a three-year, $58 million contract just 13 months ago. The deal included $26.5 million guaranteed and will cost the Jags $16.5 million in dead money in 2019. Jacksonville released Bortles on Wednesday.

“It was the right thing to do,” Coughlin said. “The guy took us to the AFC championship game (in 2018). There wouldn’t have been anybody that would have disputed the fact that he deserved the opportunity. ... So what we did at that point in time is try to fortify our team around him. Obviously, we wish it was better, but I have no regrets about that.”

Because of the financial commitment to Bortles, the Jags had to cut five veterans — including former Pro Bowl defenders Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson — to create enough salary cap space to sign Foles.

Foles will count roughly $12 million against the cap in 2019, leaving Jacksonville about $12 million to spend frugally on a remaining free agent or two.

“We have limited funds, so we’re obviously studying everything,” Coughlin said. “We’d like to think there’s a bargain or two out there that we can advantage of. That’s basically where we are.”