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On March 10, 2015, the St. Louis Rams traded Sam Bradford, a draft pick and a conditional draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles and two draft picks. It was a monumental trade for both franchises who immediately reset their trajectories. A year later, the trade failed both teams motivating them to trade up for the first two picks of the 2016 NFL Draft to select rookie QBs who could perhaps succeed where their predecessors failed.
But unlike Sam Bradford who has yet to quarterback a team to a winning season in the NFL, Nick Foles had seen prior success in the NFL. In fact, his 2013 was remarkable with 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
What happened? How did Fisherball break Foles so overwhelmingly? What lessons should we take from his demise that should concern us about the development of his eventual heir, Jared Goff?
Did Nick Foles ruin the 2015 Rams or did the 2015 Rams ruin Nick Foles?
Roster Battle
At this point, Foles is no longer a legitimate functioning member of the Rams' QB depth chart. That he hasn't been released is attributable to the potential to get a day three pick in a future NFL Draft for him later this summer; finding a trade partner at this point will difficult for GM Les Snead, but any injuries around the league or unease from another front office about their own QB depth chart may spur that eventuality.
As it stands, Foles isn't in the mix at QB.
Expectations
Sadly, no. A year ago, this section warranted analysis.
Now, the only expectation is that Nick Foles will not be a Ram by the start of the regular season.
Chances of Making Final Roster: 0/10
This one's a strange one, only because the 0 has nothing to do with his talent level.
What's perhaps worrisome is that prior to last season, the Rams signed Nick Foles to a contract extension that paid him a $6m bonus this March. Now, Foles is such a distanced commodity that he didn't even show up for OTAs...and Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher didn't mind.
The same decision makers and the same process that set up Nick Foles as the savior of the Rams' offense has now done the same for Jared Goff.
The question is now if Goff will be impervious to the same forces, internal and external, that led to Foles' demise.