After five seasons, Carson Wentz is no longer a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts this offseason for a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 conditional second-round pick.
In his tenure with the Eagles, Wentz appeared in and started 68 games, threw for 16,811 yards, and a 113/50 TD/INT ratio.
He was named to one Pro Bowl and was a member of the 2018 Super Bowl Champion team.
But Wentz’s time with the Eagles went out with a whimper as he appeared in just 12 games in 2020, leading Philadelphia to a 3-8-1 record.
With Wentz gone and the Jalen Hurts era beginning in Philadelphia, Eagles fans must now wonder, ‘was Wentz a bust?’
The Argument For Yes
Wentz was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The quarterback selected after Wentz was Paxton Lynch by the Denver Broncos at number 26.
Lynch went on to appear in just five games with the Broncos and was released after two seasons.
Sure Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott went in the fourth round, but hindsight is 20/20.
At the time, you could not fault the Eagles for taking Wentz, he was the best available quarterback.
However, the players selected after Wentz are a nightmare for Eagles’ fans.
Joey Bosa at three, Ezekiel Elliot at four, Jalen Ramsey at five, Ronnie Staley at six and DeForest Buckner at nine.
All five made the Pro Bowl and have been considered one of the top players at their position.
If the Eagles took one of them, where would their franchise be?
Of course, Wentz was a quarterback with the Eagles when they won their first-ever Super Bowl in 2018.
But that season, Wentz appeared in just 11 games and it was Nick Foles who started the Super Bowl for Philadelphia.
Two words: Philly Special.
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Wentz might have been along for the ride, but he wasn’t the star of the show.
The Eagles used a premiere pick on a quarterback who would have moderate success, but didn’t necessarily change the franchise.
If Philadelphia had landed a Bosa or Ramsey, Eagles’ fans have to wonder if they would have more than one Lombardi Trophy to their name.
The Argument For No
First and foremost, outside of his last season with the Eagles, Wentz was never a necessarily bad quarterback.
He held an overall record of 35-32-1 record and helped Philadelphia reach the playoffs in three out of his five seasons.
In 2017, when Wentz was voted to his first and only Pro Bowl, he started 13 games and threw for 3,296 yards and a 33/7 TD/INT ratio.
He led the league in touchdown percentage at 7.5% and was second overall in passing touchdowns.
Yes, he dealt with injuries as he made it through 16 games just twice, but when he was on the field he was a playmaker, as evident by his 1,061 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.
But more so than his play, Wentz helped revitalize the entire Eagles organization.
Before Wentz, Philadelphia hadn’t made the playoffs since 2013 and hadn’t made it out of the first round since 2008.
The Eagles went 18-11, including 11-2 in year two, in their first two years under Wentz heading into their Super Bowl season.
With Wentz being on a rookie contract, Philadelphia was able to retain players such as Malcolm Jenkins, Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson; all Pro Bowlers who were crucial in the Eagles’ run.
Wentz’s play was sporadic at times, but he was also the best quarterback the Eagles have seen in a long time.
Without him, it’s fair to wonder if Philadelphia would’ve had a Super Bowl title by now.
Final Verdict
In the end, the question is subjective and will change depending on what Eagles’ fan you talk to.
However, it’s important to remember the facts.
While Wentz’s tenure with the Eagles only lasted five years, he helped the Eagles capture their one and only Super Bowl title.
On the flip side, he is now no longer in the organization and Philadelphia could’ve drafted a different franchise cornerstone.
In the end, Wentz is a player Eagles’ fans won’t soon forget and one that will cause divisive responses whenever he is brought up.
NEXT: What Is Carson Wentz's Ultimate Legacy In Philadelphia?