Jonathan Jansen
There are legitimate criticisms with the play of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz this season. He leads the league in interceptions (12) and his erratic play has almost caused them to lose games that should have been easy victories. However, one thing I will never criticize Wentz for is his style of play.
It’s incredible to see the outpouring of praise for the spectacular plays that happen weekly with Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes, but then turn around to criticize Wentz for doing the same thing. It’s as if the highlights are the only things you see when watching Wilson and Mahomes and thinking that happens every single play. Admittedly, those two can make the quarterback position look very easy at times, but if you were to watch a full game, there are so many head-scratching, “What the hell are you doing!?” kind of plays. But the thing is, that’s okay.
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What makes Mahomes and Wilson the two best quarterbacks in the National Football League is because they walk a very fine line between amazing and reckless. That’s what separates them from the rest of the league. They have an extraordinary ability to extend plays long enough to go from a disaster to a highlight reel. It’s such a fine line and it will at times blow up in their faces. Just look at Wilson against the Bills this past Sunday, for example.
Those two aren’t the only quarterbacks to play this way, either. From rookie quarterbacks like Justin Herbert in Los Angeles, to a no-doubt-about-it Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, this is what the quarterback position has become. Tom Brady and Drew Brees are part of a dying style of play at the quarterback position. No longer can a quarterback stand in the pocket and carve defenses with precision accuracy and lighting-quick decision making.
This isn’t to say quarterbacks like Mahomes, Rodgers, and Wilson can’t deliver in the pocket, because they’re all excellent at that, but it is also absolutely necessary for them to extend plays. This league is becoming a track race. Sure, at times you need to pace yourself, but scoring as much as you can – as often as you can – is the name of the game. You can’t do that by constantly giving up on plays.
Wentz understands that, and to a certain extent, Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson understands that. The Eagles aren’t going to win if Wentz constantly gives up on plays. Most of the time, the Eagles can’t afford it. If the Eagles want to win games against some of the better teams in the NFL, they need Wentz to extend plays more often than give up on them. That’s how the Eagles nearly beat the undefeated Steelers and then Baltimore the week after.
Carson Wentz on deciding to give up on a play or extend play
“It’s a fine line that I will be walking and probably never have solved fully my whole career.
I think that’s just the nature of who I am and the player I am.
And how we play and do things around here” pic.twitter.com/RIIFmGbtIS— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 9, 2020
There is absolutely a risk involved in this style of play and the rewards have to outweigh the inevitable punishment. Not all quarterbacks are capable of that loose style of play, but the ones that do utilize it well. There’s a reason why NFL teams continue to look for quarterbacks with mobility. Just look at this past quarterback class, especially in the first round: Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jordan Love – all who are at least capable of extending plays outside of the pocket.
To be honest, it feels weird having to even explain this. It’s the way the quarterback position is played in the NFL in 2020 and will continue to be in the future. What Wentz is doing is no different than most quarterbacks in the league and most would agree with what Wentz said about extending plays.
Wentz has the right idea, he just needs to be better at it.
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