Through two starts, Jalen Hurts is 1-1 and has the Eagles looking more competitive than they have all season. His 401 total yards against the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t just his career high. It’s more yards in a game than Carson Wentz has ever put up in his five year NFL career. Even in a loss, Hurts appears to have the “it factor”.
With Doug Pederson “shockingly” naming Hurts the starter for their next game at Dallas, it begs the question. If Hurts continues to play the way he has, what do the Eagles do with Wentz? Even if the Eagles were to miss out on the playoffs, I don’t think you can dismiss what Hurts has done.
Jalen Hurts Starting Stats: 55.6-percent completion, 505 passing yards, 169 rushing yards, 5 total touchdowns, 93 rating
Carson Wentz Starting Stats: 57.4-percent completion, 2,620 passing yards, 258 rushing yards, 21 total touchdowns, 72.8 rating
When you breakdown the numbers per start, Jalen Hurts averages more passing yards, more rushing yards, less turnovers, and more touchdowns per game. Plain and simple, Hurts has been more of a play-maker than Wentz. The sample size is small, but all you have to do is use the eye test on the Eagles. They have been by far and away a better team under Hurts.
While there isn’t a direct answer as to why a second round rookie is playing better than a veteran Quarterback who was once in the MVP discussion, what’s clear is this: Wentz has folded under the pressure, while Hurts has flourished. Which leads me to my next thought.
Wentz Isn’t Made for Philly
Philadelphia is a gritty sports town with a rabid and passionate fan-base. When the team sucks, the fans will let you know. Honestly, Wentz should thank COVID-19 that he started as long as he did this season. Had fans been allowed at Eagles games, they would’ve booed Wentz straight to the bench.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wentz isn’t interested in a “backup role“, and will want a trade if Hurts remains the starter. To that I say, trade him. Yes, the Eagles will take a massive cap hit, but keeping Wentz won’t help the team. This isn’t the first time Wentz’s leadership skills have been questioned. And while it wasn’t the best idea for Eagles players to make a shrine to Nick Foles, still, Wentz is obviously too insecure.
If Wentz lacks so much confidence that seeing his team draft a second round quarterback has caused him to play the way he has, not only does he not deserve to be in Philadelphia, he doesn’t deserve to start anywhere. A franchise shouldn’t be forced to coddle him. He should remain a backup until he grows a metaphorical, as well as physical, spine. The Packers drafted a quarterback one round ahead of Hurts, and yet Aaron Rodgers is a top two MVP candidate. So why is Carson so bad?
Earlier in the season I tried to argue that, given all the injuries to the Eagles offense, Wentz deserved a break. However, after seeing Hurts do what he has with the same roster, I now see the truth. Wentz was part of the problem, and not just a victim of circumstances. It’s time for the Eagles to move on from Wentz and embrace Jalen Hurts.
