5 things to know about new Colts backup quarterback Nick Foles

The Colts signed quarterback Nick Foles to a two-year deal on Monday. He has a strong connection with Frank Reich, a strong faith and has had a flair for the dramatic moment. Here's what to know:

Nick Foles says Frank Reich 'really figured me out' as a player:

Foles and Colts coach Frank Reich have a connection that goes back to the pair’s days in Philadelphia, when Reich was the team’s offensive coordinator. Foles became the Eagles starting quarterback in December 2017 when Carson Wentz tore his ACL. He threw three touchdown passes in both the NFC Championship Game against Dallas and the Super Bowl (against New England). He was named the Super Bowl LII MVP.

More: Colts sign Super Bowl winner Nick Foles as backup quarterback

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“He figured me out as a player to where even during games when I’d come to the sidelines, usually coaches want to coach you up and do all this,” Foles told NBC Sports Philadelphia in 2020. “He’d just say, ‘Just keep doing it, just keep doing it.’ He wouldn’t say much. At first, it was a little weird because you’re not used to a coach doing that, but he’s like, ‘I trust you, go do your thing.’ I think no matter what, if I threw an interception or I threw a touchdown, he cared more about the person than the player and that says a lot about him and that’s why I have all the respect in the world.”

Nick Foles calls Frank Reich 'one of the greatest minds in football'

Reich and Foles have a connection that goes beyond football. Earlier this month, Reich presented his former (and now current) quarterback with the “Call to Courage” Award, given to a player “who exhibits Christian character, both on and off the field.”

At the event, Foles said that Reich is “one of the greatest teachers of football. I learned more with him and that staff in that season, in 2017, than I ever have.”

There were rumors connecting Foles and the Colts last season

When Carson Wentz was injured during training camp in 2021, Nick Foles was the third-string quarterback on the Chicago Bears roster. Naturally, questions came up — what would he think about a reunion with Reich?

"Frank Reich is one my favorite, if not the favorite, coaches of all time," Foles said. "He understands me as a player. He understands me as a person. … I haven't had any talks with them. I'm a Chicago Bear right now."

What Nick Foles has done since winning the Super Bowl

Foles started three games during the 2018 season in place of the injured Wentz. He threw for 471 yards in a Week 16 game against Houston, and completed an NFL record 25 consecutive passes the next week. He led the team to a playoff win over the Bears, throwing a touchdown pass with less than a minute to play.

He signed a four-year deal with the Jaguars in 2019. He started only four games, dealing with injuries and inconsistent play. He was traded to the Bears in March 2020, and started seven games after replacing Mitch Trubisky as the starter. He suffered an injury in Week 10, and didn’t start another game that season.

He spent much of last season as a third-stringer for the Bears, making just one start in Week 16. He was released in May.

How Nick Foles has dealt with recent struggles

Foles has always relied on his faith to carry him through difficult times.

“When you study Scripture, when you study the book of James, finding joy within trials, that’s really resonated with me throughout the years,” Foles said. “It’s a crazy concept, because when tough things are happening, how can you look at them positively? The first thought is, ‘Why me? Why is this happening?' … “God continues to show me: If you don’t play football, you’re OK. Your identity’s not in football, it’s in Christ.”

Follow IndyStar trending sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at matthew.vantryon@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: 5 things to know about new QB, Super Bowl champ Nick Foles