Confident Wentz stands by Roseman’s pick of Hurts
It’s what management does, not what it says, that matters most to labor.
And so, it is for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.
With plenty of time to evaluate the selection of Jalen Hurts, one of the most talented quarterbacks in the recent NFL draft, Wentz has come to the realization that anything short of giving the Eagles’ new acquisition his full blessing would soil his own legacy.
Wentz indicated that the $128 million investment the Eagles made him via a contract extension last June is the only action he needs to believe that he’s the man going forward for the Eagles. There, Wentz echoed a point general manager Howie Roseman has driven home ad infinitum since shocking the league with the second-round selection of Hurts, who went 38-4 quarterbacking highprofile powers Alabama and Oklahoma.
“If I were to start questioning Howie and management now, I’d really be questioning myself,” Wentz said during a conference call Monday. “Because
when I signed the deal that I did, it was really my way of showing that I trust and believe in what we’re doing in Philly and they trust and believe in me. I have nothing but confidence and I’m excited to get to work.
“I have nothing but confidence and faith in them and they have nothing but confidence and faith in me. I think it’s all just about strengthening that position, this group that we have.”
Fair or not, Wentz has been assailed for moping around a couple of seasons ago when Nick Foles, the Super Bowl 52 MVP, replaced him and rallied the Eagles to the playoffs in 2018. It was the second straight season that Wentz sustained a season-ending injury.
Over the objections of a chunk of their rabid fan base, the Eagles got rid of Foles, who landed on his feet with a megabucks contract in Jacksonville. Fully healthy, Wentz slowly but surely found his form in 2019. The proof was in a couple of game-winning drives he led for a squad almost totally depleted of front-line wide receiver.
Which brings us back to the recent draft. The Eagles hung in at No. 21 and took super-fast wide receiver Jalen Reagor off the
board in the first round rather than trade ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, who selected a free-falling CeeDee Lamb. Sources say the Atlanta Falcons wanted to exchange first-round picks as well as the Eagles’ secondrounder to get in front of the Cowboys, who had the 17th pick.
With most of the highly rated wide receivers gone when the Eagles were on the board in the second round, they chose the quarterback who got the ball to Lamb last year. After all, Wentz was unable to complete his third straight season, having been forced out of the wild card loss to the Seattle Seahawks due to a concussion.
Wentz figured the Eagles would draft a quarterback. He didn’t mention what he thought about the front office acting so soon, or if it had done enough in the draft and the offseason to improve the club. Rest assured, Wentz appreciates the additions of Reagor and speed receiver Marquise Goodwin, the latter via a trade with San Francisco.
“I trust their decisions,” Wentz said. “I trust Howie and the rest of the staff to make the best decisions for the team. With Jalen (Hurts), I’m excited to add him to the team. I know how important the quarterback position is and how important the dynamic is for me and for the other guys in that room. I’ve been blessed
over the years to have not just some incredible quarterbacks but incredible humans and friends in that quarterback room. We really endure a lot together so I’m excited.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about a lot about Jalen, the kid he is and the player he is. I’ve gotten a chance to talk to him just briefly. I’m excited to add him to the fold and create a really good, healthy, competitive, challenging environment for all of us.”
Wentz has enjoyed the offseason as much as has been possible in the age of the coronavirus pandemic. He and his wife Maddie are celebrating the birth of their daughter last week.
Wentz’s AO1 Foundation has donated money to supply needy families with meals. The annual softball tournament scheduled for Friday has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.
Wentz said he’s been involved in just one session of virtual offseason training, and there hasn’t been a lot of talk of how the offense could change with new coaches on the staff.
In the coming weeks, however, Wentz could begin to get a feel for how the Eagles may include Hurts in the offense. Head coach Doug Pederson all but guaranteed Hurts a package of plays to involve him in the offense.
“We’ll see how that all plays out,” Wentz said. “We haven’t gotten too deep into the playbook and how things are going to look. For me, it’s whatever is going to help us win. I came to Philly ever since being drafted and all I wanted to do was win, stand back, and hold that Lombardi Trophy. Whatever that takes, whatever that’s going to look like, I’m on board. … I’m a competitor. I want to be out there. I want to have the ball in my hand, we all do. But at the same time whatever is going to help us win. I’m confident that the coaches and everyone will put us in the best situation.”