EAGLES STUCK WITH INCONSISTENT WENTZ

Hefty contract handcuffs what Philly can do with QB who is underperforming

Many Philadelphia Eagles fans would love it if Carson Wentz returned from whence he came, back to the boonies in North Dakota.

Thing is, they're stuck with him.

Whether Eagles head coach Doug Pederson keeps the 2016 No. 2 overall draft pick as his starter for this week or beyond has yet to be decided — and Pederson said Monday that decision will be made by him alone.

Regardless, the finances of the monster contract the club signed Wentz to a year ago June — for US$128 million through 2024 — as much as cement the underperforming 27-year-old to the Eagles through next season.

According to the pro salaries website Spotrac.com, Wentz in 2021 will earn a $15.4-million salary and an additional $16 million in bonuses. That's an actual salary-cap hit of $34.7 million but a whopping $59.2-million “dead cap” penalty should the Eagles either cut or trade him before next season.

That would be debilitating in any season, but especially next year. The NFL's team salary-cap limit is expected to plummet from this year's $198.2 million, because it's annually tied to league revenues, and game-day income leaguewide is taking a butt-kicking in 2020, with few fans attending any of the games.

The Eagles do have an escape clause in Wentz's contract they could exercise before the 2022 season, where the dead-cap figure would plunge to $24.6 million, per Spotrac.com.

But before March 2022, you can practically be assured Wentz isn't going anywhere.

Now, whether he starts another game for the Eagles is another matter — and the most pressing matter in Philly these days, U.S. presidential recounts included.

In Wentz's worst outing yet as an Eagle in Sunday's 30-16 loss at Green Bay, Pederson finally benched him, and not just for a play or two. Wentz was horrible, completing just 6-of-15 for 79 yards and no touchdowns, against four sacks and appreciably more pressures and hurries.

Yes, the Eagles offensive line remains a patchwork horror show, with the starting fivesome changing practically by the week. That's all on GM Howie Roseman. But Wentz is now playing like a flustered, startled, panicked passer on virtually every drop-back. That's on him and Pederson, too.

With Philly trailing 14-3 at the half, after Wentz had gone 5-of12 for 38 yards against four sacks, Pederson must have made up his mind to allow his franchise QB one more chance.

On Philly's first possession of the third quarter, Wentz hit tight end Dallas Goedert for 41 yards up the middle, but then threw two bad incompletions.

Pederson turned to rookie backup Jalen Hurts for the rest of the game. Down 20-3 at that point, Hurts provided the Eagles offence a needed spark. He finished 5-of-12 for 109 yards, but did find receiver Greg Ward deep for a 32-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter before the teams exchanged late scores.

So, who's the Eagles' starting quarterback this week?

“I have not made a decision yet,” Pederson told reporters Monday. “I'm still processing a lot of things.”

What things will go into that decision?

“I would like to keep those private,” Pederson said, “so that's just between me and me.”

Does that mean it will be just Pederson making the decision?

“I don't feel like I need to communicate with anybody — players, other coaches … It will solely be up to me.”

What did Wentz do that prompted Pederson to yank him?

“I don't want to get into the specifics … I don't necessarily need to publicly air all our critical mistakes and errors … I'm not going to sit here and point the finger, or point blame, especially at the quarterback position because there's enough to go around.”

How did he think Hurts played in his quarter and a half?

“He played OK.”

Is Pederson going to make the decision with next season in mind, or is the fact the Eagles might be just 3-8-1 but are only a game and a half out of the lead in the woeful NFC East a factor?

“My focus right now is New Orleans and this week, and that's all I'm focused on,” he said.

“As soon as I make a decision I'll probably let you know sooner than later,” he said.