Eagles fans went into full meltdown mode when star quarterback Carson Wentz was struck down with an ACL tear to his left knee in December. The 24-year-old had thrown a career-high 33 touchdowns, with just seven interceptions, and he was closing in on the AP NFL MVP title before he was cruelly struck down. Vox pops across Philadelphia showed supporters tearing up and looking forlorn as they reacted to the bad news, which delivered a hammer blow to their team’s Super Bowl chances. Bookmakers agreed with the mood of dejection and pushed the odds on Philadelphia seizing glory from 6/1 back out to 12/1.
They were widely written off, yet it turned out that this was the mere catalyst for one of the greatest underdog tales in recent years. Two months later, those same fans – many of them wearing dog masks – were dancing with joy as backup quarterback Nick Foles defied the odds to bring home the city’s first-ever Lombardi Trophy. He seized the Super Bowl MVP award after besting Tom Brady, upsetting the New England dynasty, and becoming the first quarterback in Super Bowl history to throw and catch a touchdown. It capped a remarkable couple of months that saw Foles grow increasingly comfortable in Wentz’s giant shoes, and coach Doug Pederson now has an enormous decision on his hands.
Should Philadelphia Start Carson Wentz or Nick Foles?
Carson Wentz has all but recovered from his injury and he will expect to return to his role as starting quarterback. After all, the Birds traded up to take him second overall in 2016 and made him their starter in his rookie year, and he rewarded them by emerging as one of the best players in the NFL. He is the face of the franchise, and Pederson has assured him that he will be the starter once he receives medical clearance. Check the Sporting Index lines and you will see that the Eagles are among the favorites for glory this year, and that is working on the assumption that Wentz will continue lighting up the league.
Yet the Eagles could have traded Foles in the off-season, cashing in on his increased value, but they decided against it. He is still an Eagles player, and it could be somewhat awkward asking the Super Bowl MVP to sit on the bench. Foles has just had one of the greatest postseasons of any quarterback in NFL history. It was not just the Super Bowl in which he excelled. He entered the NFC Championship game as a laughed-off signal-caller, expected to simply leave everyone wondering what might have been with Wentz at the wheel. Instead, he was tremendous against the Vikings. He ripped the league’s best defense to shreds, going 26 of 33 for 352 yards and three touchdowns, to lead his team to the Super Bowl. He is a cult hero among Eagles fans, who specifically seek him out for autographs and selfies, and some are calling for him to lead the team this season.
Foles’ limitations have been well documented, but he showed just how strong and dependable he is in high-pressure situations with his postseason heroics. He also possesses great arm talent and decent mobility, so he could very well be a starter in this league. But not for a franchise that also possesses such a unique talent as Wentz. All the buzz has surrounded Foles’ Cinderella story, but it is important to remember just how magnificent Wentz actually is.
In 2017 he became only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 or more touchdowns in a season with seven or fewer interceptions. Only Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, and Matt Ryan can match that. His 101.9 passer rating last year was the fifth highest in NFL history by a second-year quarterback. He had eight 300-yard passing games in his first two seasons, a statistic that can only be topped by Dan Marino and Andrew Luck. He has just turned 25, and he has the potential to become one of the all-time greats, thanks to his skill and his ability to carry a football team. He has done things that no young quarterback has ever done, and his work ethic and determination should ensure he continues on an upward curve.
He is four years younger than Foles and Pederson should build the team around him as he bids for a green repeat this year. But the Eagles are also in the luxurious position of having two elite quarterbacks to call upon, with Foles providing a superb Plan B. He can come in and anchor the team, running the offense and winning some games, so he provides a strong insurance policy. With him around, the Eagles can afford to ease Wentz back onto the team as he rallies from his injury. So the franchise really owes Foles a debt of gratitude, as he could have agitated for a move away this summer in order to pursue his dream, at the age of 29, of becoming a starter once more. Instead, his humility has shone through, he has handled the situation extremely well, and the Eagles are blessed to have such togetherness and modesty in their ranks. Wentz is the future of this franchise and he must start when he is fully fit, but there is nothing like a bench-warming Super Bowl MVP to keep you on your toes. That should ensure Wentz scales new heights this season, which spells great news for Eagles fans.
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