It isn’t often someone gets to make a $107 million bet, but Howie Roseman got the chance to do exactly that earlier this month when he bet the Eagles’ future, and in some ways his career, on quarterback Carson Wentz.
The $107 million is the most guaranteed money in NFL history, and it is a sign of just how confident the team is in Wentz’s future despite his up-and-down first three seasons with the team.
While Wentz certainly has some flaws on his resume, like almost all players do, there is no denying he is near the top of young quarterbacks a team would want to tie their franchise to. If the Eagles didn’t pay Wentz, plenty of other teams would have — and likely would have given up multiple draft picks to do so.
But is Wentz the top young quarterback in the game worth betting on? And if not, how close is he?
Here is where I would rank Wentz the other young quarterbacks in the NFL
In the discussion, but Wentz is the better bet:
Dak Prescott: Eagles fans will never admit it, but Prescott’s resume is just as impressive, if not more impressive, as Wentz’s resume three years into their careers. Prescott has never suffered a major injury, has started more games, has more fourth-quarter comebacks and has played in three playoff games. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, however, and there is absolutely no denying that Wentz is a more talented player. Sooner or later, however, raw talent won’t matter. The Cowboys know exactly what they will be getting from Prescott. The same isn’t true for the Eagles and Wentz. Still, if you had to tie your franchise to one of them, Prescott might be the safer bet, but Wentz it the better bet.
Sam Darnold: Darnold has only played one season, and actually put up very similar numbers to the ones Wentz put up his rookie season, throwing 17 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. The fact Darnold is only 22-years old is crazy, and he will start next season four years younger than Wentz. That is certainly noteworthy and a factor in making the decision. This one is very close, but simply put, Wentz is capable of doing things on the football field that Darnold isn’t.
Jared Goff: Goff doesn’t get much credit for what his team has accomplished so far with him at the helm, and a large part of the reason he hasn’t is because of head coach Sean McVay. Still, Goff has made the playoffs twice in his career and already played in a Super Bowl. With the read head coach, the proof is there — you can win and win big with Goff. The Eagles have arguably the best offensive head coach in the NFL in Doug Pederson. Would the Eagles’ future be just as bright with Goff as it would Wentz? The success Pederson had with Nick Foles might be an indication it would be. Still, Goff vs. Wentz is similar to Goff vs. Prescott — Wentz’s talent is simply far superior to Goff’s.
Andrew Luck: Luck is much more of a proven commodity that Wentz is. He has played in and won playoff games. He has multiple elite seasons on his resume. He has won big games. The issues with Luck, however, are his age and his own injury history. Wentz has suffered serious injuries, but Luck has missed considerable time with a shoulder injury, something that is far more serious than an ACL and arguably a fractured back. Luck is also three-years older than Wentz, which absolutely matters when you consider the injury history of both quarterbacks. On talent alone, Luck might be the pick. The whole package, however, gives Wentz the edge.
DeShaun Watson: Watson and Wentz’s careers have plenty in common so far. Both were impressive right away as rookies. Both have elite-level talent. Both have torn their ACL. This one might be the closest of any on this list. One concern with Watson, however, is his style of play. The Texans quarterback has run the ball 135 times in 23 games, compared to 144 times for Wentz in 40 games. A misconception out there is that Wentz plays recklessly. That isn’t really true. Watson, however, does at times, and that is why Wentz feels like the safer bet.
Better Bet:
Baker Mayfield: Like Darnold, Mayfield only has one season in the NFL, which makes him a riskier bet than Wentz. There are plenty of positives with Mayfield and areas he has an edge over Wentz. He is younger. He is more accurate as a passer. He certainly has an “it” factor. Mayfield also hasn’t suffered a major injury. The main concern with Mayfield is his build, as Wentz is six-inches taller. That might be an old-school way of looking at things, but it does factor into the decision when picking a quarterback. This one could change, but for now, Mayfield still feels like the safer bet.
Russell Wilson: Wilson is three years older than Wentz and has considerably more mileage on him, playing in 125 games so far in his career. Still, this one isn’t that close. Wilson has proven for seven seasons now that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, never finishing a season with a losing record, making the playoffs six times and already playing in two Super Bowls (with one win). What might be most impressive, however, is that Wilson has never missed a game due to injury. In 10 years, Wentz might be the better quarterback. Over the next five, however, Wilson is a far safer bet.
Patrick Mahomes: If there was a re-draft of the entire NFL, with each player available to be selected, Mahomes would be without question the first overall pick. He showed last season he has everything you want in a franchise quarterback, throwing for 50 touchdowns and bringing home the NFL MVP award. The only concern with Mahomes would be that he has only played one season in the NFL, and he doesn’t have a longer track record of success. Still, Mahomes is a no-brainer pick a the top quarterback to build around and bet on moving forward.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
