Offseason quarterback controversies are a rite of passage in the NFL. A time-honored tradition, really.
We've certainly had our share in Philadelphia over the years. There were calls for Ron Jaworski to sit in favor of a young Randall Cunningham. Then cries for Jim McMahon to take Randall's place. When Andy Reid drafted Kevin Kolb in 2007, that began a groundswell that he was the better choice than Donovan McNabb. Of course, most recently we had the Michael Vick/Nick Foles back and forth. To look back now, it seems silly these were even debates.
Most of the time, when you have these "controversies," it generally means you have no quarterback on your roster. Not always. The 49ers in the late-80's and early-90's had Joe Montana and Steve Young, both Hall of Famers and all-time great quarterbacks. Both also won Super Bowls for San Francisco. But that is the exception. So is the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles' situation.
I use the word "situation" and not "controversy." Because there is no controversy. If Wentz is cleared by the Eagles' medical staff, he starts Week 1. Period. What Foles did was incredible and will go down as one of the great - if not the greatest - stretch we have seen in Philadelphia sports history. He came up as big as you can. But Wentz he is not. That's no disrespect to Foles. There are a handful of people on the planet who are in Wentz's class.
Just a refresher course on what Wentz did in 13 games last season (his second in the NFL, by the way). He threw for 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 3,296 passing yards and had a 101.9 passer rating. The 33 TDs were the second-most in the NFL despite his missing the final three games. He also led his team to an 11-2 record before succumbing to that knee injury late into that Rams game that clinched the NFC East. He would have been the league MVP had he not gotten hurt.
There is a great luxury having Foles on this team. Wentz does not have to come back before he is able. If he's not ready, you have the best backup in the league to start the season. But that's the only scenario in which Foles plays Week 1. Simply put: Wentz is the better quarterback. And he has earned the right to start the opener if cleared.
Some people read into Wentz's Instagram video of himself throwing earlier in the week as him somehow sending a message to Foles. I don't buy it. I think Wentz's message was to the fans and himself that I'll be back, better than ever.
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Carson's back. Tell a friend.
(via IG/@cj_wentz) pic.twitter.com/QO7TUkfvCP— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) March 19, 2018
Wentz and Foles are both good teammates who put the team above themselves. Sure, Foles is a competitor and would likely prefer to start. But there won't be any behind-the-scenes maneuvering to undercut Wentz. And Wentz is secure enough to be able to handle a Super Bowl MVP backing him up and all that goes along with that. Not to mention a coaching staff and organization that won't allow outside noise to become a distraction.
Wentz over Foles. There's no quarterback controversy.
