Wentz Leads Bradford in Eagles Learning Curve
New year, new offense, new quarterback? One of the focus points of this period of the offseason is reckless speculation, and it’s coming in droves from Philadelphia. The Eagles have perhaps the most volatile and unpredictable quarterback situation in the NFL, and it’s being reported that the incredibly green Carson Wentz is coping better with head coach Doug Pederson’s new offense than seventh-year veteran Sam Bradford.
Only two public practices into this offseason’s OTA schedule, Wentz has displayed the arm strength expected of a starting quarterback, accuracy all over the route tree and a steadfast demeanour in the pocket.
Per Pederson himself, the starting position is still Bradford’s to lose, but we’ve seen how willing coaches are to change their minds on this decision in the past. As a member of the Philadelphia coaching staff prior to Bradford’s arrival, Pederson may not consider Bradford “his guy†the way he does Wentz. The Eagles traded up to second overall for the certainty of securing one of the consensus top two QB prospects in the draft, showing just how much faith they have in Wentz developing into a high-level contributor, either this year or beyond.
That kind of mentality finds itself creeping further into the coaches’, players’ and fans’ heads as the season wears on, especially when the veteran starter isn’t getting the job done.
Pederson and the Eagles are saying all the right things. Insisting that this is a three-way battle for the starting role – let’s not forget the ludicrously overpaid Chase Daniel is still in the mix – wouldn’t do much for the already fractured psyche of a man like Bradford, who might still be threatened by the prospect of some healthy competition.
Whether or not that’s the kind of guy you want leading your team in the first place is a whole new question, and one we’ll have the answer to in just three months.
