Answers to every question in this Philadelphia Eagles QB conundrum
By Ben Swanger
The Philadelphia Eagles are now entangled within a quarterback conundrum.
Back in April of 2020, Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles made, at the time, what was seen as a head-scratching decision to draft quarterback Jalen Hurts. That one was seen as a reach, especially after a $128 million extension was handed to the former second-overall selection, Carson Wentz on June 6th of 2019.
The questions about taking Hurts in Round 2 of 2020’s NFL Draft continue. Fans and media members still argue over why Hurts was the pick, but now the franchise has to live with the decision. Maybe it was an insurance policy just in case there was another Wentz injury. Maybe Philly had possible COVID-19 roster complications on their minds. Whatever the reason, two things are certain. Hurts’ selection will either prove to be a monumental waste of draft capital or rejuvenation for a team that desparately needs one.
The $128 million-dollar man has been historically bad in 2020. His regression goes much deeper than Xs and Os. Wentz’s poor play comes down to seemingly halfhearted coaching, a poor supporting cast, and Wentz’s inability to stick with anything resembling consistent mechanics. To put things in perspective, the last quarterback to turn the ball over at least 19 times and get sacked 50 times in a single season was Blake Bortles, who has now been relegated to emergency COVID-19 practice squad status with the Denver Broncos.
The reality of the quarterback position for the Philadelphia Eagles is this. They’re either going to place the fate of this season in a $128 million train wreck or on the back of an inexperienced second-round project. For now, Hurts is the guy. Has Philadelphia’s ship sailed on Wentz in 2020? He’s been a liability, but if Hurts proves to be the same, then what? The Eagles have pressing questions at the most important position in all of the professional sports. Will they keep Hurts, or Wentz, or both?