How's this for a parallel universe: What if Nick Foles had chosen to sign with the Bucs in spring 2017, rather than the Eagles, who he would end up leading to a Super Bowl victory?

Foles was briefly mentioned as a possibility for the Bucs as they sought a new backup to Jameis Winston that spring, with Mike Glennon leaving for a big payday with the Bears. Foles chose a return to Philadelphia, and the Bucs turned to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who went 2-1 as a starter when Winston got hurt and is now likely Tampa Bay's starter for three games when Winston is out serving a suspension.

Foles' new book, Believe It: My Journal of Success, Failure and Overcoming the Odds, (here's a preview) mentions that decision and what led him back to Philadelphia. After negotiations broke down with the Chiefs, he wrote that only the Eagles and Bucs were "firmly in the running."

Foles had known Bucs coach Dirk Koetter since he was the head coach at Arizona State, and Foles had committed to him as a high school junior before the Sun Devils fired him, setting the coach on a path to the NFL. The deciding factor, it turns out, was his wife Tori being pregnant with a baby on the way.

"Ultimately, though, the biggest factor in our decision was Lily's upcoming arrival," Foles wrote. "Philly would be a familiar place, and it would provide the strong foundation and support system we'd need with a newborn on the way."

Choosing the Eagles, of course, worked out extremely well for Foles, who threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl, filling in for injured starter Carson Wentz and earning a place in the city's sports history.

Fans can wonder if the Bucs could or should trade for Foles, who will be back with the Eagles as a backup this season. But if it weren't for the timing with his daughter on the way, he might already be here in Tampa.