It’s no secret that Eagles QB Carson Wentz has struggled this season. Consistent turnovers, significant injuries all across the offense, and questionable decision making have played into what has been a rough start to the 2020 season for the 5th year starter. There are several reasons why Wentz has struggled this year but they can be centered around five major points.
Reason One: Poor Mechanics
It’s not a surprise to hear that Wentz’s poor decision-making process stems from equally-poor mechanics. Several interceptions have come off his back foot, and there does seem to be a multitude of issues surrounding his ability to transfer weight during his throwing motion and control the flight of the ball.
Looking at the Cowboys game last week, Wentz made several bad decisions. Two of his turnovers were a result of throwing the ball off his back foot, which led to the ball sailing over the intended target.
Decision making and poor mechanics are not mutually exclusive, but they do correlate. In 2016, Wentz’s mechanics were an issue and the turnovers were a problem. Sure up the mechanics, and the decision making will improve. PSN Founder, Liam Jenkins, looked more into the full reason behind a mechanical struggle.
Any time Wentz is compared with Jameis Winston….it’s not a good thing.
Reason Two: Ridiculous Expectations
The two biggest comparisons for Wentz, even in his MVP-year of 2017, were that of Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger. Wentz has the size and arm of Big Ben and the confidence and ability to improvise on the fly as Favre once did.
Somehow, and for some reason, people expect Carson Wentz to be a different player than he actually is. Wentz was never touted for his accuracy and those who thought he would be better are just absolutely kidding themselves. Roethlisberger is a Hall-of-Fame QB and still makes some absurd throws at the best of times.
Or how about Brett Favre? A Hall-of-Fame QB who was a Super Bowl champion and record holder. Was he a smart decision maker and clutch?
What are Wentz’s expectations? To be a top-five QB in the NFL? A Hall-of-Fame player? An MVP candidate? All of these could very well be true but that doesn’t mean we should expect him to be like the Brady’s, Wilson’s or Rodgers’ of the world. This idea that he needs to hit on every throw or make every correct decision is asinine and is only adhering to the issues of Wentz.
And for those who think that Nick Foles would be better and wouldn’t make the mistakes Wentz is making? These two highlights are from this season!
Noone seems to have a full grasp on what Wentz’s expectations are supposed to be. Injuries to the roster have played a part in this, but the idea that Wentz should do away with all “gunslinger” mentality goes against who he is an actual player.
Reason 3: Coaching staff is failing Carson Wentz
There is an old saying about coaches.
“Coaches get way too much of the credit, and then way too much of the blame”
In the case of Carson Wentz, I think this could be the one exception. Doug Pederson, and his array of offensive assistants got a ton of credit for getting the team into the postseason last year. Wentz received some, but not the same amount.
This year, the struggles for Wentz and the Eagles have been apparent, and while Wentz has been crucified by pretty much everyone in the Northern Hemisphere, the coaching staff has not gotten the same criticism.
Don’t believe that’s what is happening?
Exhibit A.
Exhibit B.
Exhibit C.
It’s not just Doug Pederson either. Since Frank Reich and John Defillipo left the organization after 2017, Wentz’s QB coach, Press Taylor has been in his position for two years. The difference between Taylor and DeFilippo? Their relationship with Carson Wentz.
Probably the first thing that could actually help Carson Wentz is getting him a QB coach who is far more strict with him and will hold him accountable for the basic mistakes he’s committing week in and week out.
Reason Four: Front Office failing Carson Wentz
Wentz’s struggles are clear as day. A lot of his struggles have nothing to do with him. Want the main culprit?
Howard. Roseman.
Want the main culprit for the Eagles bad cap situation?
Howard. Roseman.
Want the main culprit for odd coaching decisions?
Howard. Roseman.
Roseman is the black sheep in this entire field and is the main cause for Wentz’s struggles. First, after Wentz single-handedly won the NFC East with five practice squad teammates last year, Howie Roseman’s grand idea was to not hire a set offensive coordinator to help Doug and the team but to hire five different offensive assistants to give their own ideas.
Way to many cooks in the kitchen that are telling Wentz something different. Way to much confusion and that shows in-game.
Fast forward to the draft. Howie helps out Wentz in round one by drafting Jalen Reagor. Eagle fans are excited that Wentz has a shiny new toy.
Then, for some inexplicable reason, the “genius” Howie Roseman drafted Jalen Hurts in the second-round pick, not even a year after Wentz had led his team to the playoffs.
Why?
No-one knows. Howie’s response? Some inexcusable response about wanting to be a QB factory.
Fast forward to training camp. Brandon Brooks and Andre Dillard both go down for season-ending injuries. Howie’s response?
Bringing back AARP member, Jason Peters. That’s gone well too:
No matter what issues Wentz has had, his struggles have been far more than just him missing throws.
Reason Five: The Past is not The Present
For those that need reminding this isn’t 2019. This is 2020. With how good Wentz looked at the end of the year in 2019, everyone I’m sure was expecting the Eagles injury issues to be resolved.
Instead it’s gotten worse.
This is just from last week against Dallas:
The Eagles have been decimated with injuries for four straight years. It is wrong to expect Wentz to be a dynamic playmaker when the injuries continue to pile up every single year.
At this point, the Eagles have three players who are actually healthy this week who were penned as an original starter heading into the year. That isn’t on Wentz but he is struggling because of what he did last season. He has shown that he can win with limited talent around him. While it’s unfair to hold him to that standard every single year, people will expect him to regardless.
Casron Wentz and the Eagles’ struggles this year are interchangeable. While most fall on the decision making and issues of Wentz as a player, that doesn’t mean that the only thing is causing his problems. Let’s see if Doug Pederson, Howie Roseman, and the Eagles are able to right the ship once they get off their bye week.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
