Foles: ‘I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle’

Nick Foles is officially retiring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The 11-year NFL veteran will be honored in front of a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday, September 16, when the team hosts the Atlanta Falcons in its home opener, the team announced on Thursday.

The 35-year-old last played in the NFL in 2022 with the Indianapolis Colts. During that season, Foles started two games.

“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO, in a press release. “He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and, of course, a Super Bowl champion. As important as he was under center, it was his positive demeanor, approachability, and kindness toward others that resonated with everyone and continues to speak to his great character. We congratulate the Foles family on Nick’s celebrated career and retirement.”

Late in the 2017 regular season, Foles, who led the Eagles to its first and only Super Bowl championship, stepped in as the full-time starter for Philadelphia after Carson Wentz went down with a knee injury late in the season and helped pave the way to a 41-33 victory in Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots.

In the win, he completed 28-of-43 passes for 373 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and a 106.1 passer rating en route to Super Bowl LII MVP honors. He became the first backup quarterback to win the Super Bowl since Tom Brady in 2001 with New England.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle,” said Foles. “The City of Brotherly Love has always felt like home to me as an NFL player. Philadelphia is a city I truly love, and it has been an honor to wear the Eagles jersey. Thank you, Philadelphia, for embracing me and making me a part of your family forever. Your love and support have meant the world. Fly, Eagles, Fly!”

In one of the greatest moments in team and NFL history, Foles called for the perfectly executed trick play, the “Philly Special,” in Super Bowl LII. After motioning to the right side of the offensive line in shotgun formation, Foles ran to the corner of the end zone and caught a wide-open pass from tight end Trey Burton. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to catch a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Drafted by Philadelphia in the third round (88th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Arizona, Foles enjoyed an 11-year career in the NFL, with two stints in Philadelphia (2012-14, 2017-18). He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2013 season – earning Pro Bowl MVP honors – after leading the league in passer rating (119.2) and producing the best single-season touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history (27-2). He is still the only NFL quarterback to record 20-plus passing touchdowns in a season with no more than two interceptions.

In just his ninth-career start, Foles threw seven touchdowns in a win at Oakland on November 3, 2013, to become one of seven quarterbacks (now eight) to do so in a single game. He accomplished the feat without throwing an interception, joining only Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Y.A. Tittle to record seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game.

Foles remains the franchise leader in passer rating (93.2) and is third all-time in completion percentage (62.9). He finished his Eagles career with 8,703 passing yards (10th all-time) and 58 touchdowns (ninth all-time) in 40 games.