Bears training camp: Foles prepared to move on

A year after being acquired for stability, Bears journeyman Nick Foles is ready for a new playing situation. The prospect of the future, Justin Fields, already being developed with Andy Dalton as the stand-in veteran means Foles has a minimal role at Halas Hall. It’s not an ideal situation for any quarterback, let alone a 10-year veteran simply attempting to continue his career.

But that doesn’t mean Foles is done playing or competing. Far from it.

After speculation of a deal to the Indianapolis Colts ran rampant following news of an indefinite injury to Carson Wentz, Foles made his feelings known in a Bears press conference on Monday.

Any time you win a Super Bowl with a coach, you’re naturally going to be more attached to their mentorship. Former Eagles offensive coordinator and now head coach of the Colts, Frank Reich, has that kind of dynamic with Foles from their time together in Philadelphia. Given what it meant to him to stand at the pinnacle of professional football, the 32-year-old understandably only has positive things to say about Reich and his coaching prowess.

“Listen, Frank Reich is one of my favorite, if not favorite, coaches of all time,” glowed Foles when asked about a reunion with Reich. As the conversation continued, it might as well have been a not-so-subtle campaign to wear blue and white very soon.

“I haven’t had any talks with them (the Colts),” said Foles. “I’m a Chicago Bear right now. But he (Reich) knows me.”

It’s unclear what the Bears would receive in return in any deal with Foles. While most would not go as far as to say that Foles is “quality” in terms of quarterbacking, there’s always a shortage at the position. Even a veteran backup presents value to an NFL team when there are barely enough actual quality starters. A late-round draft pick should suffice, in most scenarios.

Listen to Foles wax about himself and his future on Monday and that price could always turn into a relative bargain for a team in desperate passer straits like the Colts.

“The version of me right now is much better than the one that played in the Super Bowl (Super Bowl LII).”

Only time will tell as to whether the Colts can get Foles to put his money where his mouth is.