Hours after an ESPN report appeared that Carson Wentz was expected to request a deal in Philadelphia, head coach Doug Pederson responded.
Pederson, just after the Eagles ‘Week 17 defeat, said he respects Wentz and thinks they can relive the quarterback’s career and the Eagles’ offense together.
“I answered this question quite a bit and you know how I feel about Carson Wentz,” Pederson said. “I have the utmost respect for him and I feel that together we can put these things right and get back on track. This is my mindset in the off-season and this is where I am.
‘All these other things, I believe, are just a kind that are there. Haven’t seen any of these things yet. I still have full confidence, confidence in Carson Wentz and myself to do the job. ”
One specific part of the ESPN report was that the relationship between Wentz and the Eagles – specifically the relationship between Wentz and Pederson – was irreparably broken.
Pederson and Wentz’s relationship has been described as a marriage over the years and for the past few weeks it has seemed like the marriage is destined for divorce.
On Sunday night, Pederson was specifically asked about his relationship with Wentz.
“I do not understand again where this is coming from,” Pederson said. “My relationship with Carson was good. It was professional. We communicated the last month of the season. Listen, I know he’s frustrated. He was the starter and I understand that. And this is understandable. I have so much confidence in him and myself that we can work on the things we need to work on and do. ”
When asked directly if he had spoken to Wentz about the report, Pederson said he did not.
If Pederson returns in 2021 – and all indications are that he will do so – the Eagles need to find out if he can really fix Wentz. Their 12 games together in 2020 will certainly not offer as much confidence that they can. In 12 games this season, Wentz completed just 57.4% of his passes with 16 hits, 15 interceptions, a pass rate of 72.8 and a record of 3-8-1.
Either way, it’s probably time to get ready for what promises to be a crazy off-season. The Eagles have made an important decision to take on the quarterback position, and the report Sunday makes it appear as if Wentz could force the Eagles’ hand.
The trade in Wentz would leave a large amount of dead money behind in 2021, but it would give the Eagles minimal relief. If the Eagles really think next season that they are better off without Wentz, his contract is negotiable.
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