Donovan McNabb is in the headlines again.
Some will argue that is what he wanted when he made what have become controversial comments about current Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz this past weekend. You can read the full comments here. McNabb's assessment of Wentz heading into 2019 was critical enough to get the attention of Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson, who called into SportsRadio 94WIP to fire right back at McNabb.
Lost in all of the back-and-forth? A look at what McNabb actually said and that most of it was actually correct.
Here is a breakdown of McNabb's comment, with some context and thoughts on each part.
"I think in the next two years or so he has to find a way to get out of the second round of the playoffs."
This what the core of McNabb's argument — that Wentz has to find a way to win in the playoffs. That certainly isn't unfair. When the Eagles drafted Wentz, trading up to No. 2 to get him, they didn't do it so he could almost win MVP awards. They did it so he could lead them on long playoff runs for multiple seasons. That is what franchise quarterbacks do. McNabb is correct — over the next two years, Wentz has to win in the playoffs. He has the head coach, the receivers, the offensive line and the defense to do it.
"What Nick Foles was able to do taking them to the Super Bowl ... proved that some people can get into that offense and be very successful."
The shadow of Foles will likely never leave Wentz. It certainly won't leave until he wins in the playoffs. The reason that shadow won't leave is, because like McNabb said, the backup quarterback has gone in two years in a row and had arguably more success than Wentz. Winning in the playoffs, and ultimately winning a Super Bowl, might be the only way Wentz can end the comparisons between him and Foles. McNabb isn't wrong about that.
"(Wentz) hasn't been healthy, he hasn't really proven to me besides the year before he got hurt and the first year of really (being) an MVP candidate. He needs to get back to that mode."
McNabb sounded like a lot of Eagles' fans with this comment. Yes, Wentz needs to stay healthy. Yes, he needs to prove he can play at a high level when healthy. Wentz needs to show he can be the player he was in 2017 consistently. If he does, he will be a top five quarterback in the league. Until he does, the skepticism he can do it will remain.
"I think personally if he can't get out of the second round in the next two, maybe three years. Really two years to be honest with you, if they can't get out of the second round, they should look to possibly draft another quarterback because you just don't know about his durability."
This is the line that really caused McNabb's comments to take off. McNabb set the bar high — get to the NFC title game in the next two years or a replacement plan is needed. That sounds drastic and plenty of things could play into whether Wentz meets McNabb's bar. What if the Eagles lose 45-42 two years in a row in the second round? What if Wentz plays amazing but they still lose? There are possible outcomes where Wentz could not make it to the title game in the next two years but the arrow could still be pointing up.
Overall, however, it isn't a crazy thing for McNabb to want to see from Wentz. In two years, Wentz will be five years into his NFL career. If I told you when the Eagles took Wentz at No. 2 overall that five years later he wouldn't play in an NFC title game, what would your reaction have been? Chances are not great. The expectations on Wentz were very high when he came here and remain very high. The Super Bowl victory in he played a large role in is obviously a complicated part of his resume, but the fact remains he still hasn't taken a snap in the playoffs. Wentz has admitted himself that is a frustrating reality in his career. There is no question that not making a deep playoff run with Wentz as the quarterback in any of first five years would be a disappointment.
Would that mean it is time to draft Wentz's replacement? That might not be the case, but a lot can change in two years, just like the last two years have shown.
One of Johnson's criticisms of McNabb was that as a former quarterback, especially one who played in Philadelphia, he should have Wentz's back. Adding this kind of pressure to Wentz might not be fair of McNabb to do.
That doesn't change that fact that there was a lot of truth to what McNabb said.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
