PHILADELPHIA − It has been a long, and no doubt humbling, two years for Carson Wentz.
During that time, Wentz went from the Eagles’ franchise quarterback to getting benched for Jalen Hurts, to getting traded to Indianapolis, then to Washington a year later, going on injured reserve, then losing his job to Taylor Heinicke upon his return.
This week, Wentz was named the Commanders’ starter with two must-win games ahead in order for Washington to make the playoffs.
MINSHEW MANIA 2:Why Eagles will be starting Gardner Minshew again; who’s the replacement for Lane Johnson?
CLUB MILENNIUM:The amazing stat on Eagles’ DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown; Jalen Hurts practices, will he play?
So yes, Wentz can redefine his future with how he plays over these two games, and possibly more should the Commanders reach the playoffs.
It’s no different for Eagles backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who went from starting quarterback in Jacksonville to losing his job upon the arrival of No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, to getting traded to the Eagles in order to serve as Hurts’ backup.
Minshew is expected to start his second straight game in place of Hurts, who is listed as doubtful with a sprained shoulder, when the Eagles face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
But here’s the one difference: Minshew has handled his predicament much better than Wentz.
That was evident in 2021, when Minshew got a chance to start against the Jets in a crucial late-season game. Minshew completed 20 of 25 passes for 242 yards and 2 TDs as the Eagles won 33-18.
After the game, Minshew approached Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and asked what it would take for him to keep the starting job. Sirianni told him that he’s sticking with Hurts, who at that time had yet to prove that he can be a franchise quarterback.
Yet Minshew didn’t pout, didn’t demand to be traded, and has been a good teammate to Hurts. And that, in a way, has helped him when he has gotten the chance to start.
Minshew threw for 355 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions last Saturday in the Eagles’ 40-34 loss to the Cowboys.
“Just having that playing experience, you’re always building your database, just trying to get different looks,” Minshew said. “Just trying to learn from everything you go through. I think that experience has helped me for this, for sure.”
It just so happens that Minshew and Wentz will both be free agents after this season − Minshew because he’s on the final year of his contract, and Wentz because there’s little chance Washington will pick up his $28 million option for 2023 when they can release him without taking a salary cap hit.
So it’s safe to assume that both are playing for their next jobs, and both would like to be starters again.
But they might have to win a competition for the starting job, something Wentz hasn’t had to experience yet.
Unlike the past two seasons, Wentz isn’t going to be handed the starting job wherever he lands, and that’s true even if he returns to Washington.
Not when Wentz has thrown 6 interceptions in 7 games this season, or one more than Hurts has in 14 games. And Wentz’s passer rating of 86.3 is considered mediocre at best. Hurts, for example, is ranked third in the NFL at 104.6.
Wentz was dreadful against the Eagles on Sept. 25. The Eagles sacked him 6 times in the first half and 9 times overall. Wentz threw for just 24 yards in the first half, when the Eagles built a 24-0 lead. He finished with 211 yards passing, but it was mostly window dressing as the Eagles cruised 24-8.
Soon after, Wentz broke his finger after leading Washington to a 2-4 record. Heinicke replaced him and went 5-1-1, including a win over the previously undefeated Eagles on Nov. 14.
But the Commanders lost the last two games with Heinicke, and head coach Ron Rivera went back to Wentz. Washington is 7-7-1, precariously holding the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoffs.
SAINTS ALOT:Ranking how Eagles fleeced Saints in trades, and why the best one can happen Sunday
LOSING LANE:This Eagles injury (not Jalen Hurts) is why Gardner Minshew should remain QB until playoffs
What Wentz will the Commanders get?
In 2019, the Eagles had to win each of their last four games to make the playoffs. Wentz proceeded to have his best four-game stretch since the 2017 season when he was on his way to becoming the NFL’s MVP until he tore his ACL.
In those four games, Wentz completed 67.7% of his passes with 7 TDs and no interceptions. His passer rating was 100.8.
But Wentz couldn’t do it last season in Indianapolis. The Colts had to win just one of their last two games in order to make the playoffs. They lost both. Wentz completed 58.9% of his passes with 2 TDs and an interception. His passer rating was 80.4.
Now, Wentz has another chance. And if his recent comments to reporters who cover the Commanders are any indication, Wentz seems to have the right attitude compared to the last time he was benched two years ago.
“I wasn’t just out and away from everybody,” Wentz said about the weeks he was sidelined after surgery on his finger. “I was still in every meeting, trying to learn and trying to grow within this offense, taking every chance I could to get better and further my understanding for this opportunity.
“By no means do I have it all figured out. But … I’ve been able to kind of understand (the offense) a little bit deeper and, hopefully, recall quicker.”
That kind of attitude will help Wentz, who will most likely be with his fourth team in four seasons in 2023, whether it’s as a starter or a backup.
Minshew learned this a while ago.
Sticking it to Saints
The Eagles have an added incentive to winning this game in addition to clinching the NFC East and the top seed. A win will eliminate the Saints (6-9) from winning the NFC South.
Why does that matter?
Well, the Eagles are getting the Saints’ first-round draft pick next spring. If the Saints win the division, that pick will be No. 19 or worse. By missing the playoffs, the Saints’ pick will likely be in the top 10.
The Eagles will clearly be shorthanded as Hurts isn’t expected to play, and perennial Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson won’t play. The Saints, meanwhile, are ranked second to the Eagles against the pass, allowing just 190 yards per game.
But they’re not nearly as good against the run, ranking 23rd by allowing 132 yards per game. Hurts would’ve been lethal against this defense with his running ability.
Miles Sanders should still have his share of success. The Saints are banged up in the secondary as S Marcus Maye was ruled out. They still have cornerback Marshon Lattimore and safety Tyrann Mathieu, however.
Still, QB Andy Dalton is mostly immobile and the Eagles have had at least 6 sacks in 4 straight games, an NFL record. In fact, if Brandon Graham gets one more sack, that’ll give the Eagles four players with at least 10, the first for an NFL team.
In addition, Saints rookie WR Chris Olave, who has 940 yards receiving, is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
In other words, the Eagles’ New Year will get off to a good start, and the benefits will last through the draft in April.
Score: Eagles 26, Saints 13.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
