Is it Time to Hop Back on the Wentz Wagon?

Is it Time to Hop Back on the Wentz Wagon?

In 2016 The Philadelphia Eagles found the answer to their prayers when they traded up in the draft to the number two pick and selected quarterback Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State.  This young man had all the intangibles: big, strong, fast and he can make every throw.   

Carson ended up having a decent rookie season making the Eagles one of the most exciting teams in the league.  Things only got better in 2017 when the young star scrambled his way to an MVP caliber season throwing for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns.  The city of Philadelphia was enjoying a time of joy and prosperity thanks to their star quarterback reviving their Super Bowl dreams and thus “Wentzylvania” was born.  The Eagles were 11-2 and completely dominating their division until tragedy struck. Carson Wentz went down with what appeared a minor injury after he ran off the field but later was confirmed to be an ACL tear.  This put despair into Eagles fan's hearts thinking their miracle season was over. Veteran Nick Foles was the next man up and it could not have been a smoother transition. Foles came in and took the team into the playoffs and finishing with the team’s first Super Bowl win in franchise history.  

There was a lot of celebrating to be done at the time for sure but the debate that followed was inevitable.  Because it was Nick Foles holding up the Lombardi Trophy and winning the Super Bowl MVP and not Carson Wentz there was a divide in the city.  Who should be the starter for the 2018 season? The reigning Super Bowl MVP or the man that revived their hope and arguably got them to that spot.  Head Coach Doug Pederson didn’t waste any time naming his franchise quarterback, Carson Wentz, the starter. It was an up and down season for the Eagles in 2018.  Wentz got injured again and Foles once again jumped in the spotlight and got the Eagles into the playoffs.  

All these quarterback arguments were quelled during the 2019 offseason when Nick Foles was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars and left the city a hero.  Meanwhile, Carson Wentz signed a $154 million dollar contract to remain with the Eagles. I personally don’t believe that the starting job was ever in question but now we have clarity on the situation.  Carson Wentz still has only had one thing more to prove and that is durability and this season is his to prove it. Eagles fans should be getting ready for the return of the star quarterback and an exciting 2019 football season.  Although I don’t believe he will be the superman he was in 2017 but look for Carson Wentz to come back strong and put the wheels back on the Wentz Wagon.     

-By: Ryan Johnson