Carson Wentz is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, yet he’s regressed some since the 2017 season that saw the Eagles star almost win MVP.
Since that time, Wentz has lost his former position coach John DeFilippo, who took the offensive coordinator’s job in Minnesota and offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, who became the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach.
Both men had a connection with Wentz, that Press Taylor, current quarterbacks coach, and Mike Groh appear to lack.
Wentz’s regression has caught the eye of personnel men around the league, and according to those executives via Paul Domowitch of The Inquirer, the Eagles star could benefit from some tough love and he needs to be “coached harder.”
“Carson played his best ball when DeFilippo was coaching him,’’ a personnel executive for an AFC team said. “Because John would get in his (butt). John and Reich had a good cop-bad cop thing going on.
“Reich would be the good cop and pat Carson on the butt, but Flip would stay on Carson and kept him on point and had him playing his best football. Personally, I think that’s what he needs right now, what he’s been lacking since (DeFilippo) left. Hard coaching. Right now, he’s got everybody there kissing his butt and that’s not helping him become a better player.’’
None of what was said is wrong, and only those inside the NovaCare Complex truly know just how hard Press Taylor and Mike Groh push Wentz to get better. The numbers this season tell a tale of a quarterback who seems to press in the biggest moments and who hasn’t taken the next step in his path to greatness.
Wentz has completed 62.4% of his passes this season, for 2,840 yards, 20 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. Those stats are solid, but in terms of league-wide averages, Wentz is currently middle of the pack among NFL passers in passing (90.0), touchdown percentage, completion percentage (62.4) and 30th in yards per attempt (6.5).
Another personnel guy said this about Wentz.
“They have to scheme to get guys open,’’ said a coach for an NFC team that has played the Eagles this season. “Zach Ertz is the only guy other than Agholor who can get open on his own.
“The rest of them are like basketball players who can’t get their own shot. They’re a bunch of possession guys. They don’t have a guy who can create in a one-on-one situation, and that’s a big problem for them.’’
Wentz has been steady for the Eagles and with the plethora of injuries to his skill players on a weekly basis, it’s important to focus on the fact that he’s four-games away from completing his first full season of football since tearing his ACL.
That in itself is an accomplishment that should carry Wentz and give him confidence going forward as the Eagles franchise quarterback.
He can certainly use some tough love, but Carson Wentz is also definitely on his way to becoming one of the NFL’s best signal-callers.
