New York Jets should inquire about Nick Foles

It would make sense for the New York Jets to inquire about quarterback Nick Foles of the Los Angeles Rams, especially if they can’t get a deal done with Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Rams and the Tennessee Titans finalized a blockbuster deal that will relocate the No. 1 overall pick to the Rams. Tennessee will send their first pick along with its fourth (No. 113) and sixth-round (No. 177) picks this year. In return, they acquire the Rams’ first-round pick (No. 15), two second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45) and a third-round pick (No. 76) in 2016, as well as the Rams’ first and third-round picks in 2017.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has already stated that entering the offseason, Case Keenum is the team’s starting quarterback, and that Nick Foles and Sean Mannion are there to compete for the job. One would have to assume trading away a fortune means they will be drafting either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz with the first overall pick.

Dec 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. California won 55-36. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Fisher and Rams’ general manager Les Snead have publicly noted that they will continue to look for talent at the position. In an article written by ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, here is what Snead said about finding a successful franchise quarterback:

"“Quarterbacks are hard to find, especially good ones,” Snead said. “But there are a lot of avenues, whether it’s free agency, the trade market or the draft. And with all that, there’s roses and thorns with each acquisition method for that QB position. But we will always search for that. We will always have a competition.”"

Sounds a bit like our beloved Jets a bit, doesn’t it? The constant need to find a better quarterback, yet always settling for the mediocre solution when nothing becomes available.

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Let’s try to understand what the Rams are trying to do with their quarterback situation.

Is Foles not good enough anymore? Not good enough to be traded for, given an instant contract extension and start for the Rams?

Was what he did with the Eagles an absolute fluke? Maybe it’s time the Rams take a hard look at their position players, and address that situation first.

Tavon Austin had 52 (of 86 targets) receptions for 473 yards and four touchdowns (16 games), Kenny Britt had 36 (of 72 targets) receptions for 681 yards and three touchdowns (16 games), Brian Quick had 10 (of 32 targets) receptions for 102 yards and no touchdowns (13 games), and Jared Cook, tight end, had 39 (of 73 targets) receptions for 481 yards and no touchdowns (16 games). They also had minimal contribution by Bradley Marquez and Wes Welker.

In total, their core group of receivers (without Marquez, Welker and backfield receivers) caught just 137 passes (out of a total 263 targets) for 1,737 yards and seven total touchdowns. Julio Jones and Antonio Brown each surpassed those totals: 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns, and 136 receptions for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns, respectively. And there were a few others that came close.

So what does all of this mean to the Jets? If you can’t come to an agreement with free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick, go get Foles. At least inquire about him, and of course, only if the price is right.

Foles had an incredible year in 2013, throwing 27 touchdowns and two interceptions with a solid supporting cast led by DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy. Jeremy Maclin was lost for the season due to a torn ACL.

In 2014, Maclin returned, but Jackson signed with the Washington Redskins. Foles’ stats dipped a bit, throwing 13 touchdows to 10 interceptions, going from 64.0% completion percent in 2013 to 59.8% in 2014, ultimately being benched after eight games. His replacement, Mark Sanchez, threw similar numbers to Foles and won two less games. Sanchez threw 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, completing 64.1% of his passes.

And let’s not forget four weeks into the 2014 season where Chip Kelly left us all with this gem:

Chip on o-line: "We're not very good up front right now."

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) September 29, 2014

Take his seasons in 2014 and 2015 with a grain of salt. People will argue that he just doesn’t have it and that inaccuracy is Foles’ Achilles heel. That may be true, but there’s no doubt he could come to New York and compete for the starting job with Geno Smith.

More jets: Top 3 takeaways from Rams-Titans trade that impacts Jets

The Jets have some questions at the offensive line as of right now as well, but it’s hard to believe a guy that threw 27 touchdowns to two interceptions with Jackson, McCoy and the rest of the 2013 Eagles can’t have a good season with a Jets’ offense led by Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and the newly acquired Matt Forte.

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