With big payday on tap, Wentz must stay healthy

In a couple of months, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz should be able to pass the physical necessary to finalize the massive contract extension the Eagles know they’ll have to give him at some point.

The hairline fracture in his back will be fine, the reconstructed knee healthy and the team’s wretched 2018 season history. Unless, that is, Nick Foles becomes the first Super Bowl MVP in back-to-back seasons since Terry Bradshaw in 1979 and 1980.

Let’s assume Foles comes up short of that noble goal. The Eagles will have an interesting decision to make. And it’s not whether to pay Wentz but when to make him feel it’s best to be paid. They’re committed to him in sickness and in health. All things considered, it makes little sense for Wentz to attempt to play through the back injury. No sense in trying to be a hero on a 6-7 team.

At the same time it’s never too early to look at the big picture. Typically, an NFL team can save money by locking up a player sooner, rather than later.

However, the Eagles are in an unusual position. Wentz is represented by Bruce Tollner, the same agent who takes care of Rams quarterback Jared Goff, the only player selected ahead of Wentz in the 2016 draft. Goff also is in line for an extension, and at last look, not only was healthy but having a better season than Wentz.

Much has been made about the Eagles delaying a decision on a contract extension for Wentz. It’s the old, show us you can make it through an entire season and we’ve got a deal.

The last thing the Eagles need is to show the slightest misgiving about Wentz, so forget about that. Just putting protections in the contract is tricky.

Only the Eagles know what Wentz is worth to them so we’ll spare you the ridiculous guesses. Just say that Aaron Rodgers, the Packers’ long-ago Super Bowl MVP, recently pulled in a four-year extension with $100 million guaranteed.

Rodgers averages $33.5 million, topping the previous leader, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who averaged $30 million a year.

And remember, the Giants gave wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. a five-year contract extension worth up to $95 million with $65 million guaranteed.

Wentz is going to command a stunning number, and there’s no way around it because he’s their future. Imagine the backlash if he isn’t re-upped.

Whatever that figure is it’s going to impact the rest of the roster. Technically the Eagles project to being over the estimated $187 million salary cap next year primarily because Foles counts for $20 million. Nice knowing you, Nick.

There are plenty of other high-priced Eagles veterans who should feel uneasy, including left offensive tackle Jason Peters and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan.

The Eagles always have been able to find a way to do a big deal providing that the other party — in this case Wentz — is receptive.

Let’s revisit the injury thing with Wentz. He sat out three games last year after injuring the plant knee against the Rams and wasn’t medically cleared to play until the third week of this season. Wentz is 23-17 overall in his starts, including 7-9 as a rookie and 5-6 this year.

In Rodgers, the Packers know they have a guy fully capable of playing through injuries and coming back from major surgeries with a vengeance. He sustained fractured clavicles last year and in 2013. Rodgers bounced back to win the second league MVP honor of his career in the 2014 season. He also played through an MCL he injured in the 2018 opener.

Wentz unquestionably is a tough guy capable of playing with pain. He stared all 16 games battling through a cracked rib most of his rookie season, when he didn’t have much help around him.

It wasn’t a coincidence Wentz established a single-season club record with 33 TD passes in just 13 games last season because the Eagles upgraded at wide receiver and running back. And it’s not surprising they’ve struggled this season. The deep threat, Mike Wallace, fractured his fibula in the second game. Running back Jay Ajayi, who had a history of injuries, lasted four games. Twelve Eagles are on injured reserve, half of them starters.

The Eagles team you see now is fighting to stay in the playoff hunt partly due to injuries, and partly because some of the draft picks they’d counted on weren’t up to the task.

Since Wentz was drafted, seventhround cornerback Jalen Mills (IR), firstround defensive end Derek Barnett (IR), second-round tight end Dallas Goedert and fourth-round defensive back Avonte Maddox are the picks that have stood out from a total of 21 selections in that time.

Isaac Seumalo (second round) is starting at guard, Nathan Gerry (fifth round) at linebacker, Rasul Douglas (third round) at cornerback. But those moves mostly are out of necessity. Offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai regressed after starting in the Super Bowl.

When the Eagles pay Wentz, they’re going to have to hit on at least half of their draft picks because there won’t be a lot of money available to secure serviceable veterans.

You can see the way the big money effect impacted the roster in Atlanta, where the struggling Falcons also paid Julio Jones, in Green Bay, which hasn’t played great defense since the late Reggie White was there, and at other stops around the league.

The Eagles need to pay Wentz. And they need him to stay healthy.