Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles explains why he stayed with Eagles, even as backup

PHILADELPHIA — Nick Foles said he never wanted to leave the Eagles, even if it meant going from the MVP of the Super Bowl to a backup role once Carson Wentz recovered from suffering two torn ligaments in his knee.

That's why Foles said Tuesday that he never worried about the trade rumors, despite his desire to start again. Eagles executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman didn't necessarily deny those rumors last month.

In fact, Foles agreed to restructure his contract last week, which gave him a raise of $2 million and incentives that could reportedly take his contract for this season to $14 million depending on the number of starts, and so on.

"You have to look at the moment and where you’re at," Foles said. "I’ve seen both sides of it. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Do I want an opportunity to lead a team again? Absolutely. But am I trying to run away and do it right now? I’m grateful to be here … I’m not banging on the table at all. I’m really grateful to be in this moment."

Foles told a radio station in Austin, Texas earlier this month that he wanted to start again. Foles said he couldn't believe that became a big deal.

"I can’t believe I actually had to come out and say I want to be a starter again," Foles said. "I’ve always believed your actions speak louder than words. I shouldn’t have to come out and say that I should be a starter again, because if I’m saying that, there are a lot of guys who say that who shouldn’t be starters. The key is to go out on the field and lead your team and show people that, hey, this guy is a good guy in the locker room, he can lead a team, he did it on the field, and he’s shown it. To me, that’s what I’ve always had to do."

Foles said he didn't demand a trade, and that the contract restructuring was a mutual decision because of "the unique situation that we're in." 

He stressed how much he loves playing for the Eagles, and how much he and his wife wanted to stay. The contract, however, does give both Foles and the Eagles a mutual option for 2019. So it is possible that this season will be Foles' last with the Eagles.

But Foles isn't worried about that. He said everything about the Super Bowl and the aftermath has been better than he expected. As for how his life has changed, Foles said, "I'm still the same guy. I just can't go many places."

The feeling is mutual for the other Eagles who were made available to the media on Tuesday in center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

Kelce, who gained instant fame for his speech at the parade four days after the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, got emotional when asked what the speech meant to him. He said that was because he wasn't the only player who had to overcome so many obstacles to be on a Super Bowl-winning team.

He said that revelation came to him in the shower at home after the Eagles' NFC Championship game win over the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 21.

Cox, meanwhile, said there was a parade in his honor in his hometown of Yazoo City, Mississippi, and that a street was named after him, which is now called "Fletcher Cox Road."

"They named the longest street [in the town] after me," Cox said. 

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.