The Eagles open up their regular season on Thursday, September 6. While the reigning champions have a good chance to contend this year, one major question still remains on the table: Who will start at quarterback to open the season?
The Problem
The Eagles have what is likely the best depth chart for the QB position in the league. The clear #1 option is obviously Carson Wentz, who was in contention for NFL MVP until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 14 against the Rams. Nick Foles, who led the team last season to win the Super Bowl, and who was named Super Bowl MVP, is the second-string quarterback. Following Foles, as the third- and fourth-strings respectively, are Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan.
While it’s clear that Carson Wentz is a better player than Nick Foles (though Foles is not too shabby), his status as an opening-game starter is complicated by his recovery. The injuries that Wentz sustained were a torn ACL, LCL, IT Band, and a damaged Meniscus, all in his left knee. For injuries like these, there’s no definite timeline for a return to play. It’s been almost eight months since Wentz got injured, and he’s been seen running and throwing normally at training camp. These signs are positive and encouraging for his recovery. His knee, however, will be vulnerable to re-injury now, and there’s no telling when it will be fully healed.
Public Opinion
There’s no consensus among fans as to when Wentz should return to play. One group feels like Foles is a sufficient option to start the season and that the Eagles should err on the side of caution with Wentz, giving him a few extra weeks to finish his recovery.
The other contingent of fans believes that Wentz’s knee looks healthy in training camp videos. The Eagles need him, as one of the league’s top quarterbacks, to help win games early in the season.
Better Safe than Sorry
Personally, I feel that Foles is good enough to help the Eagles win early in the season. Wentz, in my opinion, should be kept on hand as the backup. If Foles gets hurt or fails to perform, there’s a competent QB available. By keeping Wentz out of contact football for as long as possible, he can get closer to completely healing his knee, while not entirely ruling him out from playing.
Part of my judgment on this comes from having a high opinion, sometimes to a fault, about Nick Foles’ abilities. Also in Philly, we have seen the unfortunate side of injuries. I hate to see players get re-injured. I’m often reminded of the terrible Embiid and Bynum injuries that kept them sidelined for so long. I also remember the health of Ben Simmons’ foot. That was even after taking time off to be cautious with his injury.
Whoever starts for the Eagles, come September 6, will perform well. One can hope, though, that team doctors are sure of Wentz’s health before he’s cleared to play.