Carson Wentz has been one of the NFL’s most underwhelming quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season.
Last week, in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Wentz finished with 242 yards, two picks and no scores on 26 of 43 passing.
One week earlier, in a loss to the Washington Football Team, he posted a 72.5 passer rating. Against the Rams that number fell to 56.5.
Wentz has seen better days.
This week, Ron Jaworski appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic and gave his thoughts on whether the problem was Wentz feeling the pressure from rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Classic Knicks. https://t.co/X7g8EQmF4g
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 26, 2020
“It certainly could,” he said.
“I lived that situation. I still remember draft day: ‘Oh, the Eagles drafted Randall Cunningham in the second round. OK, the clock is ticking!’ You know that, so you know that you have to raise your level of (play), and there’s an added amount of pressure.
“This is four years after I’m the league MVP, the highest-paid player in the NFL, all of a sudden they draft a quarterback. Everyone has a shelf life, and you begin to feel that pressure.”
ESPN’s Tim McManus agreed with that sentiment.
Tua Tagovailoa has it all mapped out. https://t.co/czTMcYs6sD
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 26, 2020
“I can’t say to what degree Carson feels the pressure, but he’s aware of it,” he said.
“You know as a player the minute you struggle a little bit, you start hearing it from the fans, you start hearing it from the coaches in the meeting room, you start seeing a little giddy-up in the guy who wants your job.
“All those things start to filter into your thinking and clearly — clearly — I believe that has an effect on him.”
Last year, Wentz didn’t record his fourth interception of the season until late October. This year, he has four picks two games in.
Moreover, two of Wentz’s four worst quarter ratings since his 2016 rookie campaign have come over the past couple of weeks.
Yikes. https://t.co/brED21LbmS
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 26, 2020
Recently, Eagles coach Doug Pederson was asked to diagnose what was happening with his quarterback.
“I guess you could point to a lot of different things,” he said.
“Missing OTAs, not having all the necessary, maybe, reps during training camp, missing preseason games, whatever it might be, the timing of things with what we do in the passing game.
“Just missing these throws. They’re throws that he typically would make the throw and it’s a little bit too on the receivers. Sometimes the receivers need to make the catch as well. Those are things we have to continue to work.”
A little surprising. https://t.co/vuZgtTVAIQ
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 25, 2020
One year ago, the Eagles signed Wentz to a four-year, $128 million deal. Needless to say, some are now wondering if that was a big mistake.
This week, Philly will take on a Cincinnati Bengals squad that this point is just the Joe Burrow Show. If Wentz can’t deliver in this outing, and if the Eagles lose again, then he really would be wise to start worrying about Hurts stepping in and taking his job.
Related: Cam Newton’s Breonna Taylor Reaction Goes Viral
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
