Eagles making an enormous guess on Carson Wentz — and it is the appropriate one
PHILADELPHIA — Signing quarterback Carson Wentz to a four-year extension was the appropriate transfer for the Philadelphia Eagles, even when it comes with important danger.
That danger, after all, is linked to Wentz’s well being. He has suffered season-ending accidents in every of the previous two seasons. He tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee through the 2017 season and was shut down this previous December after a stress fracture was detected in his again. He broke his wrist in school, broke his ribs through the preseason his rookie yr and had a separate stress fracture in his again throughout his adolescence that was found his freshman yr at North Dakota State.
Philadelphia indicators Carson Wentz to $128 million extension Story
It is exhausting not to consider that harm historical past when weighing the deserves of signing Wentz, 26, to an extension by way of 2024 that is price $128 million and contains $107 million in ensures, based on a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wentz had two years remaining on his rookie deal, and the extra cautious method for the Eagles could be to see how the 2019 season performs out earlier than committing to Wentz for the long run.
However this is a corporation that has been outlined by its aggressiveness lately. That is completely different from recklessness. The Eagles use the entire instruments at their disposal to investigate a state of affairs, and as soon as they’ve decided a plan of action, they pounce. That features locking gamers up early in the event that they view them as a core piece, and it does not get any extra core of their eyes than Wentz. They fell exhausting for him through the pre-draft course of in 2016, moved up twice to pick out him No. 2 general that April and have been unwavering of their perception in him since — by way of harm, by way of assaults on his character and thru magical runs orchestrated by then-backup, Nick Foles.
The Eagles know that by getting Wentz right into a long-term contract now, they may save tens of millions on the again finish if he returns to MVP-caliber kind. The NFL wage cap continues to push north, and the value for premium quarterbacks will proceed to skyrocket — particularly when Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, who’s eligible for a brand new deal after this season, will get his payday.
ESPN Stats & Data
With the cash for Wentz now allotted, the Eagles know exactly what sort of funds they’re working with as they construct their roster for the long run.
Additionally they know Wentz is not the kind of participant with whom you play video games. For those who’re dedicated, commit, and keep away from any detrimental emotions that might stem from an extended, drawn-out course of.
Sure, there’s a probability this might all go unsuitable in a fairly large method. Wentz would possibly show to be injury-prone, and the Eagles may find yourself holding the bag — and a hefty one at that. The upside is that they get him locked in at what is going to quickly appear like a reduction, leaving them further coin to spend on bolstering their supporting solid.
It is a large guess, however the Eagles imagine Wentz is the kind of particular person and participant to make bets on — they all the time have.