QB Controversy Not Going Away
By Rob Maaddi
Get ready for the quarterback controversy to linger.
I’m told the Eagles aren’t planning to trade either Carson Wentz or Jalen Hurts. Things can
change quickly in sports but right now the team wants to proceed with both guys. It makes sense from a business standpoint because the Eagles have invested a ton of money in Wentz and they would absorb an enormous cap hit by trading him. It’s $33.8 million in dead money on the 2021 cap if Wentz is dealt before March 19 and $43.8 million if he’s traded after that date because he is due a $10 million roster bonus by the third day of the new league year.
Giving new coach Nick Sirianni and his staff an opportunity to fix Wentz is understandable. I was
also told new quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson “loves” the ability of Wentz and Hurts so it’s logical to
allow him some time to work with both guys. While the organization’s thinking is sensible, it’s reasonable to wonder if keeping both quarterbacks is a feasible situation. Wentz has been criticized for comments he didn’t make, actions he didn’t take and decisions he hasn’t reached. Some people put more stock in negative remarks from anonymous “sources” than on-the-record praise from team leaders. He just can’t win in Philadelphia.
Plus, there’s no guarantee Wentz will ever regain his 2017 form or even his December 2019
form. If he does, the team doesn’t have enough talent to compete for a Super Bowl anytime soon. Winning nine games or simply making the playoffs shouldn’t be the standard for success. Collecting Vince Lombardi Trophies was supposed to be the “new norm” just three years ago.
The Eagles are a long way from playing in the Big Game. They are a 4-win team in desperate
need of a total rebuild. Hurts showed promise, he’s young, he’s inexpensive. Building around him
instead of letting the QB controversy drag into another season might be the best option.
