The Philadelphia Eagles once again seemed to come to life when Nick Foles took over for an injured Carson Wentz this season, and a bombshell report that was published on Monday makes it seem like that was hardly a coincidence.
Joseph Santoliquito of Philly Voice spoke with several Eagles players and team sources about the dynamic within the organization, and he was left with the impression that Wentz is not “universally loved” the way Foles is. In fact, some of the sources — all of whom chose to remain anonymous — described Wentz as a “selfish” and “egotistical” player who needs to hold himself more accountable.
The entire report is worth reading, but the basis is that Wentz wants to run the Eagles’ offense the way he believes it should be run, and new offensive coordinator Mike Groh was not able to rein him in this season the way now-Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich could the two seasons prior.
“He’s had his a– kissed his whole life, and sometimes acts like he’s won 10 Super Bowls, when he hasn’t played in, let alone won, a playoff game yet,” one source told Santoliquito. “Everyone around him wants good things for him. He did more thinking on the field than he did playing (in 2018). You don’t have to be a brain surgeon or a football expert to see how differently this team plays and reacts with one guy as opposed to the other.”
Wentz apparently had a tendency to complicate Philly’s offense and zero in on tight end Zach Ertz, whereas Foles spreads the ball around more and runs the plays the way the coaching staff intends them to be run. The players and sources who spoke with Philly Voice also felt Wentz rushed back from his injury and played at less than full strength because he was “so hell-bent on getting back after Foles led the Eagles to the Super Bowl.”
There’s a lot more to the report, but essentially it sounds like Wentz has frustrated some teammates by not being a team player. Perhaps the former Pro Bowler won’t feel the need to press as much if the Eagles’ offseason plan for Foles comes to fruition. Either way, the storyline is worth monitoring.
