Tyler Trumbauer
Carson Wentz is the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
After two weeks, two turnover-free performances by Wentz, and two victories for the Philadelphia Eagles, the second-overall pick has had his praises sung by many around the NFL. The North Dakota State product was featured in the Wall Street Journal and is a daily topic of nearly every national sports talk show, especially shows here in the City of Brotherly Love. He has captured the attention of Eagles fans and has already had some campaign to change the name of the state to Wentzlvania.
Additionally, he has already secured himself the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Through two games, Wentz is 43-71, tossed three touchdowns, and passed for 468 yards. Those numbers may not be earth shattering, but to top it off, Wentz is turnover free, and is commanding an offense that is currently in the top half of the league.
Wentz’s intangibles are what caught the attention of head coach Doug Pederson and GM Howie Roseman. Now, it is being showcased for the world, including former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski, who lauded the rookie on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption on Thursday night.
Another off the field aspect to Wentz’s case is the backstory. Going from a guy that was going to “take it slow,” serve as QB3, and rarely dress for games just two weeks before the season begins gets a complete flip of the script and is now leading an NFL franchise.
He was a long shot to win Offensive ROY heading into the season. According to CBS Sports, Bovada didn’t even make odds for Wentz’s chance at the award. Now, he is the leader of the pack, sitting at +150, according to the Las Vegas sportsbook, just ahead of Ezekiel Elliot and Will Fuller.
Certainly Wentz’s toughest tests are ahead, beginning with the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, however as long as he keeps the Wentz Wagon up-right he will find himself being anointed the best offensive rookie in the NFL at season’s end.