Wentz, Roseman reveal much about messy divorce by what they fail to say
No way was anybody going to get any juicy details about what led the Eagles to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts — barely a year-and-ahalf after giving him the richest contract in the history of the franchise.
Not that Wentz was going to say anything anyway during his introductory news conference, which began at 12:30 p.m. EDT, or around 15 minutes after the Eagles began a news conference with general manager Howie Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni that had been announced just three hours earlier.
But the scheduling conflict, whether intentional or not, sure did limit the amount of Philly media crossover to Wentz — who simply kept repeating that “the year didn’t go as we planned,” in response to all questions about what went wrong in Philadelphia and why he wanted out so quickly.
Heck, Wentz wouldn’t even admit he wanted out after insisting that the trade was out of his control and that he didn’t want to talk about the details.
“I’m not saying one way or another,” said Wentz, who by that statement ostensibly confirmed he was so dissatisfied with how things played out in Philadelphia that he wanted to be traded no matter who was going to coach the Eagles in 2021.
Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia, more of the same.
“I think all those conversations are best if they’re kept between the parties,” general manager Howie Roseman said “You know, we have to be able to have those honest conversations and we had them and I think obviously now we’re all moving forward.”
In other words, Wentz gave the Eagles little choice but to pick up the phone and dial, starting with a number in area code 317.
Wentz was surprisingly frank about reports that not all of his teammates in Philadelphia were on board with his behavior as the face of the franchise and his clashes with coach Doug Pederson, who was fired after the Eagles finished 4-11-1 and turned to rookie Jalen Hurts to start the final four games at quarterback.
“It’s something that anytime you hear those things, you want to play detective,” Wentz said. “You want [to know], ‘All right, who said it? Who did what?’ All those things. But ... it doesn’t matter.
“Whether someone feels that way or not, that’s what’s out there. So how can I learn from it at the end of the day? And you know, I think I’ve learned in this business, in life, [that] you’re just not going to make everyone happy. As much as you want to, you can’t.
“And so it’s unfortunate that people have those opinions. But you know, I’m going to learn from it and try and be the best teammate I can be.
“And if any of my teammates out there don’t think I was the best teammate, I apologize. I wish I could be better. Like I said, last year was tough for everybody, just building those relationships.”
Wentz went on to say that he gave everything he had every day.
“When I lay my head on that pillow at night, I know I gave everything I had,” Wentz said. “It didn’t go the way that we all desired and wanted [it] to go, but I can sleep well at night knowing I poured my heart and soul into everything I had in that city on and off the field.”
Could he have pushed too hard? There was no answer from Wentz because it was not asked. But the feeling here is that he did.
If Wentz can’t learn restraint under a once and future respected mentor, Colts coach Frank Reich, he never will.
That’s why he’s in the best possible spot for himself.
And it’s why the Eagles also felt best to move on.