This image. This feature image above has been stuck in my head all offseason. I do not care that it is in portrait orientation, I had to use it. Thank you to whoever took it, it is my favorite image of all time. The picture has been my phone background ever since the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
My mind has been racing the past couple of weeks with all the trade rumors, and today it finally happened. There are so many emotions rushing through my body as I try to comprehend this. I decided to write out all of my thoughts and memories to attempt to express what I am feeling.
I remember back in the beginning…I was in my senior year of high school letting the news sink in. The Eagles were trading up to draft a quarterback from North Dakota who I had never heard of. Carson Wentz was going to become the next franchise quarterback. The team had tried for years to find a long-term solution to replace Donovan McNabb, and it seemed they finally found their guy.
Since then, Wentz created so many great memories. All of the plays that very few quarterbacks in league history could have made, but he made them look easy. From ducking Calais Campbell sacks, to escaping a pile of Washington defenders, to completing passes downfield from nearly on his knees, to throwing a touchdown pass on a torn ACL.
In the 2017 season, make no mistake – Carson Wentz won a Super Bowl championship.
Not only did he lead his team to an 11-2 start by playing like an MVP, his leadership set the tone for the whole year. All of the little things that do not get talked about as they should. Having contests, like seeing who could beat him to practices early in the morning or who could work harder than him. If a player dropped a pass, Wentz would throw his way the next play to pick his teammate up and boost his confidence.
After the ACL injury, Wentz stayed positive and helped the team however he could. Wentz would even help Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld go over film early in the morning before going to rehab from the injury.
Again, Carson Wentz earned his ring.
It is a shame the team has mostly failed him since then. They could not put the pieces around him that he needed, and they could never put away quarterback controversies. The North Dakota State product showed flashes at times, and even won the division throwing to practice squad players. But in the end, it appears he and the organization have reach their lowest points since coming together.
I am a little disappointed the Eagles could not receive more for Wentz. This was probably the best offer they could get for him, but I am very worried it will not take long until it shows Philadelphia lost this trade. No matter what happens though, one thing is for sure – it should have NEVER come to the point where the franchise quarterback had to be traded.
There is so much more I could add to this ramble. I did not even get into all of his fantastic charitable work through his AO1 Foundation.
As our time together comes to an end, it sucks things had to happen like this. Wentz deserved better. At least we can be grateful for all of the positives.
Thank you, Carson, for what you have provided to me and this city for the past five years. Thank you for helping to finally lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl. We will be forever grateful for what you accomplished as an Eagle.
