The Cleveland Browns acquired veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor in a trade from the Buffalo Bills this offseason to be their bridge quarterback while No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield sits and develops. As it turns out, though, Taylor wasn’t the Browns’ first choice for that role.
According to Michael Silver of NFL Network, the Browns offered the 35th pick in the 2018 draft in a trade for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and reigning Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
The Eagles declined the Browns' offer after consulting with Foles, who expressed his desire to stay in Philadelphia instead of going to Cleveland. The Eagles then decided to rework Foles’ contract in April to give him a $2 million bonus and up to $14 million in incentives.
As for the Browns, their failure to land Foles forced them to turn to Taylor, whom they acquired for a third-round pick. He will now get to start ahead of Mayfield this season.
While Foles would’ve gotten the chance to start in Cleveland, he likely wouldn’t have had much of a long-term future as the starter there, especially with the Browns drafting their quarterback of the future in Mayfield.
For now, Foles remains in his role as the insurance for the Eagles while Carson Wentz continues to rehab from his knee injury. There’s still a chance Foles can get dealt before the trade deadline on Oct. 30 if Wentz re-establishes himself as the clear No. 1. But with his preference to spurn the Browns, Foles seems content with being a backup — and a local Philadelphia hero — for a bit longer.
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