X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Nick Foles to Bears: Fantasy Impact 

Quarterback Nick Foles was traded from the Jaguars to the Chicago Bears in order to compete with Mitch Trubisky. Rishi Patel evaluates the move from a fantasy football perspective to determine if either one has draft value in 2020.

After a fairly brief stint in Jacksonville, journeyman quarterback and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles is heading to the Windy City to play for the Bears as a result of an unexpected trade. As many of you know, the QB will now be playing for the team that he defeated in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago (in an Eagles uniform), which most famously featured the double-doink missed field goal by Chicago.

After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in the 2017 season and leading them in the playoffs again in 2018, Foles was a hot commodity in 2019 free agency. Unfortunately, he suffered a collarbone injury in the Week 1 loss to the Chiefs during his first game with the Jaguars in 2019.

That paved the way for rookie QB Gardner Minshew to unleash his Minshew mania, slowly spelling the end of Foles’ short tenure in Duval County. Now as a member of the Bears, it’s unlikely to expect immediate fantasy results from the 31-year-old. Let’s take a look at what this trade means in fantasy for the Bears.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Disappointing Jaguars Tenure

The Jaguars rewarded the Texas native with a lush contract (four years, 88 million dollars) due to his stellar performance in the 2017 and 2018 postseason with Philly. Jacksonville made this move in hopes of getting a true franchise QB after splitting with the maligned Blake Bortles. This didn’t pan out as expected because he finished 2019 with 736 passing yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and two fumbles.

To put this in perspective, upon joining the Jags as their new starting QB, Foles played Week 1 and then in three games during Weeks 11-13 because a collarbone injury put him on injured reserve. Unfortunately, the small sample size was anything but encouraging.

After returning from the injured reserve, it was clear the QB was struggling as the Jags got beat badly in the three games he played late in the season. For fantasy owners who drafted Foles, he was a major disappointment because he wasn’t on the field and didn’t provide stellar numbers when on it. He finished 43rd among active fantasy QBs.

 

Foles vs. Trubisky

Foles to the Bears is like Ryan Tannehill to the Titans last year. He now provides a great veteran QB presence in the locker room and serves as a reliable backup (for now). The Bears are persistent in starting QB Mitchell Trubisky in 2020, so the former Jags QB will likely get a chance to enter a contest if the starter struggles at any point. However, a QB competition in which the best man gets the job may also be an option the team decides to explore.

At this point, the role for Foles in the Windy City is currently unspecified, it’s only speculated he will be the starter for the Bears at some point. When and for how long remains anyone’s guess as there is no guarantee on how many games Trubisky gets the nod.

This move is huge as it signals the pressure is on for the 2017 second overall pick. Trubisky finished 2019 with 3,138 yards (21st), 17 touchdowns (27th), 10 picks (15th), and a 63.2 completion percentage (25th). Those are below-average numbers when compared to other QBs, but Foles didn’t fare much better during his time in Jacksonville, and even the small sample size spells that. Trubisky also had an 18.4 percentage poor throws per pass attempt rate in 2018 and 2019, another area of concern.

It’s difficult to gauge the fantasy value for Foles compared to other QBs in 2019 due to his incredibly small sample size, but he ranked 36th in passing yards per game (184) among active QBs. Meanwhile, Mitch Trubisky didn’t fare much better, ranking 30th in the category with 209 yards per game. In terms of pass yards per attempt, Foles finished 42nd with 6.3 yards and Trubisky finished at 45th with 6.1 yards.

Not only are fantasy owners currently left in the dark about Foles’ role on the team and his potential fantasy value, but another downside to the QB is the lack of rushing abilities. The journeyman has 390 career rushing yards and five touchdowns, although 221 yards and three touchdowns came in 2013 alone. To summarize, the Super Bowl winner essentially would provide slim to none production on the ground, thus limiting his fantasy potential.

On the other hand, Trubisky provides more rushing prowess, as he has amassed 862 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in three career seasons, including 193 yards and two touchdowns last year. Because of his legs, Mitch is a slightly more versatile player than Foles.

Chicago will likely measure the capacity of both QBs this upcoming season and potentially draft another QB in 2021 if the issues continue, but there is virtually no chance the team decides to pick up another signal-caller now.

 

2020 Fantasy Outlook for Foles and Trubisky

Trubisky’s fantasy value may be threatened, but there is no clear indication yet that he may be benched. However, the North Carolina product is a QB not many fantasy owners would likely seem interested in drafting. Mitch Trubisky ranked 26th among fantasy QBs in 2019, which made him a player with low fantasy value.

When comparing the two QBs in a fair way, it seems both are equally underwhelming based on the last campaign. However, if you absolutely needed to decide which to pick as your fantasy QB (assuming they play all 16 games), Trubisky’s rushing abilities make him the slightly better option to draft.

Nevertheless, it seems unlikely either QB will get to start all 16 games (unless Foles wins a potential training camp battle). The addition of Foles affects Trubisky’s value only if he is benched very early in the season, but that is abstract at this point considering we don’t know if or when the journeyman will start a game for the team in 2020. So, is either QB a good fantasy pickup in drafts this summer?

At this point, both QBs are risky fantasy options in redraft leagues because of the uncertainty regarding the starting role and no clarity on how a potential distribution of playing time will comb out. It seems none of them will get the full 2020 campaign to play and deliver fantasy numbers week in and week out. Though Trubisky is a slightly better fantasy option than Foles, that’s not saying much considering there are plenty of QBs better than them both.

Neither of them has been an elite fantasy starter in recent years considering Trubisky’s struggles and Foles’ lack of playing time during fantasy season on the Eagles and Jaguars. What’s more alarming when looking at the former Jaguar from a fantasy perspective is the fact that he has not started more than 11 games throughout his entire eight-year career.

He has only started double-digit games in two of his eight seasons, thus sparking concerns about whether he can produce for owners consistently, and this remains a hot topic for 2020. Therefore, both QBs are not even worth drafting as a backup QB on your team and remain waiver wire pieces at best unless a breakout occurs at some point during the season.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF