Nick Foles was elevated to the starting job in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. A surprising move at the time. Mitch Trubisky hadn’t played great but he wasn’t terrible either. He’d also gone 2-0 to start the season. Some people struggled to understand the decision. In fact, plenty of people still question it.
A vocal minority in the Chicago Bears community believes the decision to go with Foles hasn’t paid off. Why? Just look at his stats. Just 878 yards across just over three games. Six touchdown passes to four interceptions. An 80.4 passer rating. Those aren’t the most inspiring numbers. Trubisky managed an 87.4 rating.
Has there been any significant difference?
In their minds, Foles is basically Trubisky without the ability to run. Of course, as always those people don’t take context into the equation. Foles’ first three starts have come against three top 10 pass defenses in the Colts, Buccaneers, and Panthers. To say nothing of his severely shortened offseason courtesy of COVID-19.
All things being equal though, his value goes far deeper than just the numbers. Former player Brian Baldinger, now a top analyst for NFL Network, watched the Bears-Panthers game. He came across five throws made by Foles that demonstrate how good he is and why the coaches made the right call going to him last month.
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https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1319276304919793666
Nick Foles isn’t perfect but he’s good when necessary
Maybe the thing that frustrates people the most about Foles is his moments of greatness don’t appear all the time. It’s more like they bubble to the surface only when the conditions are right. Those conditions tend to be big moments in tight games. Since taking over last month, the 31-year old has two touchdowns and three interceptions in the first three quarters this year. He has four touchdowns and one interception in the 4th quarter.
Not great all the time. Just when he has to be. Recall his terrific adjustment on a 17-yard play David Montgomery against Tampa Bay. The “to the L” moment with Anthony Miller in Atlanta. These are the little things Foles is able to do that keep the Bears offense on schedule. Would he like to put up more points? Sure. Everybody would.
That just isn’t where this offense is right now.
Until they find that identity they’ve been missing, it’s on Foles to make enough plays to win. He’s been doing that. Whether it comes across as pretty or ugly doesn’t matter. Win the games. That is the mantra he and the team are sticking with until further notice.
The next challenge is a pretty big one. A rematch with the Rams in Los Angeles. This opponent is 4-2 and employs the best defensive player on the planet in Aaron Donald. Given how much the Bears have struggled with pass protection, this is going to be a tough game. Chicago lost to them last year 17-7. If they want some revenge, they’ll need to do better than that. Can Foles succeed where Trubisky failed?
The team seems confident that this will be the case.