If the Giants indeed move on from Eli Manning, they could turn to free agency to find their next quarterback and Nick Foles appears to be headed toward the open market.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson made a pretty strong statement on Tuesday about where the team stands on its quarterback dilemma between sticking with 26-year-old Carson Wentz or last year's Super Bowl MVP.

"Carson is the quarterback going forward," Pederson told reporters at a news conference. "And in Nick's case, we would love to have everyone back throughout the roster. But as I have said many, many times, it's not about one guy, it's about the team. We're going to do what's best for the team."

The Eagles could still retain Foles and pick up a $20 million option for next season, but Foles has the ability to decline the option and pay back $2 million to test free agency.

The veteran quarterback, who turns 30 on Sunday, is figured to be a hot commodity who can garner a big contract after leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl last year and winning four straight games at the end of this season to sneak into the playoffs before they were eliminated in a 20-14 loss to the Saints in the NFC Divisional round.

The Giants would likely only pursue a quarterback in free agency if they cut the 38-year-old Manning, who is owed $23 million next season, but would save $17 million if they were to part ways.

The Eagles have until Feb. 10 to pick up Foles' option while the Giants have until March 13 -- when free agency begins -- and March 17 before Manning is owed a $5 million roster bonus.

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