Don’t blame Carson Wentz for the Eagles’ struggles

In the weeks leading up to the 2016 NFL season, it seemed like Carson Wentz would be waiting months, if not an entire season, before starting for the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a strange thing for a quarterback that the team traded up to get. That all changed when the Eagles traded quarterback Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings after Teddy Bridgewater went down with a gruesome knee injury.

Once he stepped into the starting role, Wentz didn’t look like a rookie. He led the team to a 3-1 record over the first four weeks of the season with seven touchdowns and just one interception. Since then, Wentz’s production has dipped and the Eagles went 1-3, but it hasn’t dimmed the outlook for his future in Philadelphia.

Speaking to the Atlanta media via a conference call this week, Wentz acknowledged that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but he’s enjoying himself, anyway.

“Obviously, we’ve had some ups and downs as a team. Myself, personally as well,” Wentz said. “It’s been a lot of fun. I realize that this is an opportunity that not many kids get, especially to come in as a rookie and play right away. It’s been a blast.”

This season, Wentz has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 1,890 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. When he’s on, he’s very accurate, and his arm strength is impressive.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson noted that Wentz, and the Eagles in general, have had some inconsistent games, but said Wentz’s mentality and talent make all the difference for him.

“He’s weathering it well,” Pederson said. “He’s definitely hard on himself for these past few games, and he’s making the necessary corrections. And he’s got such a — one of those aggressive attack mentalities that he just can’t wait to get back out on the practice field and get back to football. And it is growing pains. It’s just some things we’re working with.”

The Eagles are 4-4 so far this season, and as Wentz has gone, so has the team. There are a few factors at play, not the least of which is the suspension of right tackle Lane Johnson, which has led to some instability along the offensive line.

Philadelphia allowed four sacks through the first three games, and after the Eagles’ Week 4 bye, they allowed double that number in Weeks 5 and 6. Both games were close losses, as Philadelphia fell to the Detroit Lions with a final score of 24-23 and Washington with a final score of 27-20.

In Week 7, they pulled off a surprise win over the Vikings, handing Minnesota its first loss. But then they dropped two more division games in a row, losing 29-23 to the Cowboys and 28-23 to the Giants.

Wentz didn’t throw any interceptions through the first three games of the season, but has thrown five over the past five games. He’s fumbled eight times this season. Yet there’s still plenty of season ahead, beginning with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this week.

Wentz said he’s learning as he goes.

“We are kind of looking forward to getting back on track. We’ve kind of struggled as of late, really just finishing ball games,” Wentz said. “There has been a lot of learning going on for me personally with this offense and for this whole team. So, we are looking forward to kind of just getting back on track and learning from the mistakes we’ve made.”

Pederson said it’s not all on Wentz.

“Obviously, I have to do a better job of putting my team in situational things, Peterson said. “We’ve got to get back to running the football a little bit, I think, and helping Carson there.

“And (he) can’t put the whole game on his shoulders to go win it.”

Sure, the Eagles’ offense hasn’t been as successful over the past five weeks. Wentz has gone from being in the discussion for rookie of the year to just trying to limit mistakes and win games.

Still, the Falcons’ defense respects what they’re seeing on film from the young quarterback.

“Yeah, he’s been up and down, but he’s a pretty good quarterback for it being his first year,” Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn said. “He gets the ball out fast, and when he goes downfield he connects, so we definitely have got to get to him as rushers and as a whole defense, we’ve just got to try to stop their offense, because they’re explosive.”

Second-year outside linebacker Vic Beasley echoed Clayborn’s sentiments.

“You can tell that he’s very mature and he’s very experienced, and I think he has a chance to be a great quarterback in this league, and I think he’s already one,” Beasley said. “He’s playing very well right now.”

Aside from some turnovers, Wentz is actually playing well. The losses have really been the result of a play or two here or there.

Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith noted Wentz’s size and athleticism as distinct advantages.

“He’s a big kid — he might be about 6’5, something like that. He’s a really good athlete. He’s got an extremely strong arm. He can make all the throws,” Smith said. “I think he’s doing a great job at managing the team.”

Wentz started the season as one of the early favorites to be named Rookie of the Year. Strong performances from the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott will make it difficult for Wentz to get back into that conversation, but he still has time to make a mark on this season.

He also hasn’t been the lone reason the Eagles have lost close games. It’s just a handful of plays in each close loss that the Eagles wish they could have back that have led to the 4-4 record.

Wentz is putting in the work to improve, and he’s adapted well to the NFL so far, even if it’s not consistently showing up in the Eagles’ win-loss record.