Nick Foles was hoping for a fair and balanced competition this summer for the Chicago Bears starting quarterback job. That is what Matt Nagy promised months ago when the team traded for the 31-year old. Unfortunately, it seems real life keeps getting in the way. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the NFL schedule. Nagy had hoped to use the preseason as a primary battleground between Foles and Mitch Trubisky.
Those plans are now out the window.
Initially the league reduced the schedule from four to two as a way to increase training camp time. Allowing players to condition themselves better for the season. Then as negotiations persisted, the offer was reduced to one game. Yet the NFLPA wasn’t satisfied. They were adamant that players wanted no preseason games at all. This in an effort to limit the risk of spreading the virus as much as possible.
At last, it appears the league has caved. Adam Schefter reported the offer was made to the players association for no preseason games to be played. Presuming it’s accepted, it will mark the first time this has happened since the early days of the league’s existence. It’s also another brutal stroke of bad luck for Foles.
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Nick Foles will only have practices to make an impression
This is an ideal scenario for Trubisky. Foles has been trapped in Florida due to travel restrictions. All the while he’s been working out consistently with teammates. Training camp report day on July 28th will mark the first time Foles actually meets his teammates in person for the first time. That means he’ll have one month to forge a strong connection with them and prove he’s the better quarterback. All without playing anything resembling actual game action.
That is a lot to ask of the guy. He’s a good player but football is a complex game. It is beyond difficult to absorb a new offense and develop a connection with receivers in a month. Never mind he’ll have to do it against one of the best defenses in the NFL on a daily basis. Basically all Trubisky has to do is not completely stink up the practice field and the odds say he’ll be the opening day starter in September.
