Philadelphia Eagles Nick Foles Downplays Trade Rumors

Since the offseason started, Nick Foles' future with the Philadelphia Eagles has been up in the air. Rumors surfaced that the Eagles will try to trade up the NFL draft by putting their incumbent quarterback on the market. Foles, however, has downplayed these rumors, stating that he plans on being in Philadelphia in 2015.

"I'm still being introduced as that [starting quarterback], but then you get asked different questions, the rumors and everything, so that is a part of it," Foles said on NFL Network. "It's always about the trade rumors -- that's always the hot topic. But that's one of those things where you just have to smile about. The only thing I listen to is what [coach] Chip [Kelly] decides, and that's all I care about."

These rumors ignited when college quarterback Marcus Mariota announced that he would enter the 2015 draft. Kelly, who was the one who recruited Mariota to Oregon, reportedly wants to team up with Mariota once again. The pair worked together before Kelly was hired as head coach of the Eagles in 2013 and Kelly had great things to say about the young quarterback.

The likelihood of the Eagles getting Mariota in the upcoming draft is slim to none. The Eagles currently have pick 20 and will have to make more than one trade if they want to move up the draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to pick Mariota. Although Foles is confident that he will be back, he admitted that he has not talked to Kelly since the end of the season.

"We haven't talked a lot. He has a lot going on," Foles said. "This time of year you really just get away from everything. He is busy looking at the draft, doing all that. I saw he is more of the decision maker. Haven't really talked to him too much but I'm sure I'll hear from him soon."

In the meantime, Foles stated that he is focused on recovering his shoulder. Foles sustained a season-ending collarbone injury after only playing eight games.

"Right now I am really testing it out. Rehab was going really well when I was in Philly. You gotta be smart with it. But I feel like it's stronger than it was before. That's usually what happens," Foles said.

Foles completed 186 of 311 passes for 2,163 yards and 13 touchdowns. Before his injury, he had 10 interceptions, which is a huge increase from his 2013 stat of just two interceptions.

Despite a rough start in 2014, the Eagles still had a winning record. However, back up quarterback Mark Sanchez was not able to get the team to the postseason. The Eagles finished 10-6, second in the NFC Eastern Division.