Entering the 1994 NFL Draft Foley worked out for almost all the teams in the NFL at the February scouting combine in Indianapolis.[4]
Before the draft, Foley was rated by Miami Herald sports writer Alex Marvez[5] and by Charles Bricker of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel[6] as the draft's third-best quarterback behind Heath Shuler and Trent Dilfer. NFL analyst Mel Kiper also rated Foley as the third-best quarterback in the draft,[7] whilst The Californian rated him fourth behind Shuler, Dilfer, and Idaho’s Doug Nussmeier.[8] Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, however, did not rate Foley among the five best quarterbacks available.[9] Those who had played against Foley in college had doubts about his size, durability, and consistency as a short passer,[10] and Bricker said that Foley would not be chosen before the fourth round.[6]
Foley was ultimately selected in the seventh round of the draft and played sporadically for the Jets from 1994 to 1998.[11] From 1996 to 1998 he threw for 2,013 yards with 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during that three-season span.[12] Foley was the Jets' starting quarterback to open the 1998 season, but injuries resulted in Vinny Testaverde taking the starting job.[13]
Foley was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1999.[13] He was released in a cost-cutting move during the Seahawks' final cuts before the 2000 season.[14]
Foley was also camp director at Valley Forge Military AcademyinWayne, Pennsylvania.[13] In 2010, he served as the academy's head football coach. In his only season as head coach he led the team to an 8–0 record. After leaving Valley Forge, Foley worked as an instructor for Football University.[17]
Foley's father, Ed Sr., was a quarterback for Boston College from 1963 to 1965. His brother, Ed Jr. is, as of 2021, the Assistant Special Teams Coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers. In the past Ed has Coached at Baylor and Temple, acting as recruiting coordinator for the Temple Owls and was the head coach of the Fordham Rams from 2004 to 2005.
Foley, married to his wife Theresa, has four boys and a daughter.[13] As of 2011, Foley lives in Maryland.[17]
^Vega, Michael (October 24, 2003). "Till the echoes ring again". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
