NFL News: Bears Releasing Former Super Bowl MVP; Foles Prowling For New Team

KEY POINTS

The Chicago Bears released Nick Foles after failing to find a trade for the former Super Bowl MVP
Foles could be a new target for teams that are looking for veteran play-callers
The Seahawks and the Texans could explore a deal with Foles this NFL offseason

The Chicago Bears opted to release veteran quarterback Nick Foles Saturday, giving the former Super Bowl champion the freedom to choose his next stop.

The release was confirmed by Foles' agent Justin Schulman, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported.

The Bears had initially hoped to find a trade partner for the 33-year-old play-caller, but there were no takers.

Foles, who had previous stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, was acquired by the Bears via trade on March 31, 2020. He competed with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback job but lost, relegating him to a backup role.

Foles started seven games for the Bears in 2020. He appeared in only one game this past season.

Foles carried a cap hit of $10.67 million in 2022, according to ESPN.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles confirmed that they had been trying to trade the quarterback since March. This decision came after Chicago acquired Trevor Siemian in free agency to serve as Justin Fields’ chief reliever.

With no takers, the release was imminent. However, Foles' agent lauded Poles for the move, branding it a class act by the Bears general manager.

"Ryan Poles did the classy thing and Nick appreciates it," Schulman was quoted as saying by Garafolo.

It remains to be seen which NFL team would take a chance on Foles. There are several teams in need of a quarterback, particularly the Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans, CBS Sports reported.

The Seahawks have yet to name their new play-caller following the Russell Wilson trade.

The 33-year-old Super Bowl champion was traded to the Denver Broncos in March in exchange for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant.

Among the names being linked to the Seattle Seahawks quarterback void are Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Seahawks, along with the Texans, passed on selecting a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, potentially indicating that they have a veteran NFL player in mind. Foles' availability could tweak things a bit moving forward.