Former NFL QB Nick Foles Takes Jab At Patriots

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles congratulated the Denver Broncos after their divisional playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills, while also taking a subtle jab at the New England Patriots. Foles referenced his own experience as a backup quarterback who famously defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, when he led the Eagles to an upset win despite not being the team’s starter.

The Broncos enter the AFC Championship Game dealing with a major setback, as starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury that will keep him out of the matchup. As a result, Denver will turn to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to face New England. Foles expressed sympathy for Nix and wished him a speedy recovery, but pointed out what he sees as an encouraging sign for Denver: the Patriots’ struggles against backup quarterbacks in high-stakes, championship-level games.

Stidham, originally drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, spent three seasons in New England before reuniting with Josh McDaniels during his brief tenure as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Sunday’s AFC Championship Game will mark Stidham’s first appearance in an NFL game since the 2023 season, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup against his former team.