Maaddi: Unpacking the Current Misconceptions on the Future of Carson Wentz
By Rob Maaddi
Carson Wentz is enjoying the best week of his life while everyone else speculates about his feelings and his future.
Carson and his wife, Madison, welcomed the birth of their first child, Hadley Jayne, on Monday night. As a father of twin daughters, I feel there’s no greater blessing than being a girl dad. Carson knows it, too. And, he’s loving it.
Since the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the football world by selecting Jalen Hurts in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night, many theories have been circulated about why the team made the move and what it means for their franchise quarterback.
Let’s clear up some of the wildest misconceptions.
Carson isn’t thinking about retiring. That idea is nonsense. He’s determined to win a championship for the Eagles and he’s driven to do whatever he can to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Eagles didn’t draft Jalen Hurts because they think Carson Wentz is going to walk away from football.
Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson insist they did it because they know the importance of having a legitimate backup quarterback. Whether it was too early in the draft _ I preferred Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins at No. 53 _ or undermined their confidence in the guy they gave $108 million guaranteed is a different discussion.
Regardless, Carson isn’t pouting about it. He’s busy celebrating the birth of his first child, embracing fatherhood and doing whatever he can through his AO1 Foundation to help as many people as possible. He’s also looking forward to getting back on the field and working with the new playmakers the Eagles added and all his teammates.
When he got the call telling him the Eagles were drafting another quarterback in the second round, it had to shock Carson as much as it did fans and media. It’s human nature when a team invests a premium pick in a player at your position to be taken aback by the decision.
But Carson does not have “delicate feelings” or a “fragile pysche” as some “insiders” like to say. That’s garbage. He does not allow outside “noise” to distract him, bother him, or affect his preparation and performance. Carson Wentz is one of the most mentally strong athletes I’ve met in 21 years covering the Eagles, the NFL and Philadelphia sports for The Associated Press. His strong faith in Christ is his foundation and it allows him to process disappointment, criticism and setbacks in a way that leads to personal growth.
Carson is going to welcome Jalen Hurts with open arms and I’m sure they’ll end up studying the Bible and playbook together, “sharpening” each other and doing whatever they can to help the Eagles win games.
