The moment Carson Wentz was benched, extended conversation began to be had in regards to how the Philadelphia Eagles should “fix” the QB in the offseason. Wentz – a former MVP candidate and Pro Bowler – is coming off the worst season of his professional career, and obviously needs to try something new in order to get himself back on track. Of the many hypothetical “cures” thrown out there, pairing Wentz with a new head coach was the obvious solution to most.
The Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t base HC hire around Carson Wentz.
For what it’s worth, the logic checks out. Doug Pederson’s offensive scheme had grown stale over the last couple of seasons, and the team’s overall inability to develop WR talent has been a constant talking point for years. Pairing Wentz up with an exciting, innovative offensive mind like Joe Brady for example could be the quick fix that Wentz (and the Eagles) have been looking for.
I really like Brady as a potential head coaching hire, and I subscribe to the belief that the Eagles should hire an offensive-minded HC (as opposed to a defense-first guy). However, the direction that the team goes at HC should come independent of what Carson Wentz wants, or feels that he needs.
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I’m what most would consider a Wentz “fan”, and I’m of the belief that his career can be salvaged moving into 2021. Give him a better play-caller and some better weapons, and I’d bank on him being a top-ten quarterback again no problem. With that said, that doesn’t mean the Philadelphia Eagles as an organization should base their entire future around rebuilding their current/former franchise quarterback.
For starters, the Eagles simply need to hire a really good head coach. Forget Wentz and offensive scheme for a second, the organization has been in a bit of a limbo since parting ways with Andy Reid. Chip Kelly was a disaster, and their franchise’s only Super Bowl winning head coach just left on less-than-ideal terms. Jeffrey Lurie needs to identify a candidate that fits his longterm vision – someone who can hang around for 10+ years.
Additionally, there’s a genuine argument to be made that Wentz just doesn’t really fit with the Eagles current timeline. Lurie talked quite a bit about continuing to “re-tool” in 2021 and beyond, and Howie Roseman has obviously set the team up with a poor cap situation – one that will take at least one full year to get out of.
With those points in mind, the decision to trade Wentz this offseason for further draft compensation might be in the best interest of both the Eagles and Wentz. In that case, it simply wouldn’t matter if the Eagles new head coach can “fix” a quarterback, they’d be starting over with either Jalen Hurts or a new rookie taken via the draft.
Like most people, I can see a quick return to success should Wentz return to his previous elite form. That scenario can probably be accomplished via hiring a good offensive head coach who connects with Carson, but it shouldn’t be the only thing on the Philadelphia Eagles minds. They’re coming off a 4-11-1 season, everything is bad and everything needs to be changed. Hire the best possible candidate, and worry about what happens to Carson later.
If a strong candidate like Lincoln Riley or Eric Bieniemy wants to come in and rebuild Carson, then great, you kill two birds with one stone. However, that shouldn’t be the only thing on Philly’s brain when it comes to their continued HC search.