On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Green Bay Packers 30-16 at Lambeau Field. The big story in this game was Carson Wentz being benched after going six for fifteen for 79-yards.
The Eagles were unable to move to the ball down the field, and midway through the third quarter, Jalen Hurts came in for Wentz down 20-3.
The Eagles needed a spark, and Hurts did just that. On his first passing play, he hit Jalen Reagor on the hands for an eleven-yard reception. The team was moving into Green Bay territory. With 3:23 left, Hurts connected to Greg Ward for a 32-yard touchdown to trail the Packers 23-10.
Jalen Reagor returned a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown to get the Eagles back into this game. Jake Elliott missed the extra point, and the Eagles were only down by a touchdown. Packers running back Aaron Jones sealed the game for Green Bay with a 77-yard touchdown run.
After the game, many of the media and fans pointed out that Carson Wentz’s face was red, insinuating he was mad, annoyed, and certainly not ready to answer questions about his play. While taking questions from the press, Wentz sounded agitated by questions about his performance.
Unfortunately for Wentz, his play has not been good this year. He leads the league with 15 interceptions and has been sacked 50 times. While he does deserve some blame, Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson also deserve blame. How did we get to this point? What is missing from the preparation for a game?
Wentz needs help. Before this fiasco happened, Wentz was in contention to win MVP in 2017 before tearing his ACL. He came back earlier than expected in 2018, only to go out again. The following year, he carried the team to the playoffs with backups and practice squad players. Wentz’s regression is a cause for concern, and he is shaky on the field, which leads to inconsistent throws and more interceptions.
Since week 1, he has repeatedly been saying that he needs to play better and watch the tape, but the reality is he is not getting better. Doesn’t he see what others see? That’s not what you want from your quarterback, whom you are paying $128 million for four years. When you look at the roster that Roseman built, there are tons of questions as to why.
With no front line to protect him, receivers who don’t come back for the ball or aren’t running the route of the play, injuries, penalties, and the fact that there are different coaches in his ear besides Pederson, it’s no wonder the guy is not doing well.
If you watch the other team’s coaches, they are with their quarterbacks going over every series. They change the playbook to create specific plays for their quarterback to put him in the best position to win games. However, you also see quarterbacks calling over receivers as Patrick Mahomes did in last night’s game. Wentz does not do that, and he needs to command the roster like how Foles used to do.
Despite being mathematically alive in the NFC East, the Eagles should send Wentz to the bench and observe. He has not been the same player since 2017. The Eagles should let Hurts finish the season and then decide what direction they want to go for the future.
According to OverTheCap.com, if the Eagles decide to part ways with Wentz, cutting him will cost the team $59.2 million plus an extra hit of $24.5 million. But, if they trade him, it will only cost the Eagles $33.8 million and save $852,928. Wentz could use a change in scenery; just look how well it is working out for Nelson Agholor. There will be some teams that would inquire about Wentz.
Those teams would be Denver, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New York Jets, Carolina, and New England. The one team I would keep my eye on out of the bunch is the Indianapolis Colts. They have cap room next year and will be in the hunt for a new quarterback. For Wentz, he would reunite with former offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
On the other hand, should the Eagles decide to keep Wentz, they will need to find a coach who can work with him. They are also going to need someone who will get the players Wentz needs. This team does have talent, and Wentz has proven he can work with anyone from the starters to the practice squad.
As for Hurts, he is not going anywhere. The Eagles have Nate Sudfeld on the roster, but he is in the final year of his contract and is expected not to return next year. Before the 2020 draft, Sudfeld was projected to be Wentz’s backup, but when Hurts was drafted, Sudfeld became expendable. Sudfeld will look to compete for a backup job somewhere else next year, and the Eagles can’t afford to part ways with Hurts.
Whatever the Eagles decide to do with Wentz must be resolved this off-season. Wentz is a good football player who just needs someone to help guide him in the right direction. When he has the right coach in his ear, you will see him play better. Right now, the GM and coaches on this team are not helping him, and Wentz does not trust them.
George Allen said that “Winning can be defined as the science of being totally prepared.” That means both Physically and Mentally. Carson needs to find what is best for him. Practicing the fundamentals, watching old films of how he used to play, strengthening his core, and healing.
Seems like teams have gotten away from the fundamentals, which creates great players. Only time will tell what moves the Eagles make; let us just hope the wise prevail.
