Nick Foles appears more eager to become a permanent starting quarterback again than he did in the past.

Foles finished 2018 as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback due to a Carson Wentz injury for the second straight season.

"Yeah, like I said, I would love to lead a team," Foles said. "The starter thing, leading a team, impacting a locker room ... that's why we play the game, to impact people, to create an atmosphere."

The Eagles can exercise a $20 million option in Foles' contract for 2019, but the QB can buy his way out of that option and into free agency by paying back $2 million.

The Eagles would likely need to use the franchise tag on Foles if they were to either keep him or trade him.

Foles nearly retired from the NFL before rejoining the Eagles. Foles turns 30 on Jan. 20.

"Whatever we decide, whatever contract we sign, we will always honor that contract years-wise, and then we go from there," he said.

"If I can't find the right reasons to do this game, then I need to pursue something else, but right now, I'm really loving playing this game. ... I've grown this last year more as a player than I ever have. I'm really starting to understand how I want to play this game. My game has changed, seeing what's important and really just being myself."

Foles and Wentz have grown close during their time together.

"I know a couple things: I love Nick. I love that we're like brothers in there, me Nick and Nate [Sudfeld], and the support we have for each other," Wentz said. "Whatever happens is meant to happen, and I think we're all going to be successful in our own right."