Ranking Nick Foles’ best potential landing spots in 2019

5. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins decided to go for a hard reset by firing Adam Gase and moving on from Ryan Tannehill. They’ve also finally admitted that a rebuild in 2019 is necessary and have already put the word out they want a 2020 quarterback. This is all a good decision, but likely takes them out of the Foles sweepstakes if they’re truly serious.

If they’re more willing to address the position this year, Haskins will likely be out of their range unless they move significant assets to jump other interested parties, but Murray may interest them as a high-upside risk. Signing Foles to a multi-year deal would waste a year of development for each and the chance to stack the roster around a rookie quarterback contract like the Rams, Eagles, and Chiefs have done.

Foles does look like a good fit with Miami if they’re willing to play for a Wild Card in 2019 regardless of what they do with their first-round pick. Incoming offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell needs to prove he can build a more dynamic offense than what he had with the Lions, but his short-range attack helped boost Matthew Stafford’s numbers to respectability and it fits Foles’ strengths too.

Miami’s cap sheet will be cleaned enough to afford Foles if they desire as Tannehill will be traded or cut. It’s debatable as to whether Foles is better than a healthy Tannehill, but the fanbase needs a fresh face to watch and Tannehill’s body has failed him in recent years. Though it would be expensive to sign Foles since moving Tannehill incurs between $7.8 million and $13.4 million in dead cap depending on when and how they dump him.

Would the Dolphins be willing to commit $30 million to the quarterback position in 2019 for a stopgap?

I’m skeptical on the Caldwell hire because of how safe he was, but it’s good for the quarterback’s production even if limiting for the team. Stafford was neutered for much of Caldwell’s tenure, but was propped up as a potential MVP in 2017 because his numbers looked good. But he wasn’t an impactful player in most games.

Miami needs better luck staying healthy next year to find more success regardless of who is at quarterback.