The sequence was pretty symbolic.
As an assortment of Eagles cleaned out their lockers after their playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints last week, quarterback Nick Foles met with the media for perhaps the last time. He spoke about his accomplishments during his time with the Eagles so far, while also doing everything but admitting his time in Philadelphia is likely coming to an end.
Then, after all the questions were over, he walked out the side door of the locker room without much fanfare.
An hour later, once all the players were gone and the locker room was empty besides a swarm of media members, the Eagles new quarterback, Carson Wentz, walked in. With about 30 reporters waiting in a semi-circle, it felt more like the worst surprise party ever than the start of a press conference.
Still, the feeling was pretty clear.
Foles' time as quarterback of the Eagles was over. Wentz is back, and now that is he stepping into Foles' shoes, he is going to have his work cut out for him — big time.
Regardless of how you feel about the recent Philly Voice article that painted him in an unflattering light, one undeniable truth in the article was the large shadow that Foles cast over the locker room. Foles was indeed universally loved by the players in the Eagles' locker room, and his accomplishments over the last two seasons have been great enough to create a crack in the once invincible shield surrounding Wentz.
Now that the Foles' era is likely over, it isn't a stretch to say that over the last two years, this has ultimately been his team, not Wentz's. It was Foles, not Wentz, at the helm for the team's biggest wins and most memorable moments. This past two seasons will be remembered for Foles, not Wentz.
With Foles likely moving on, it will now be up to Wentz to step back in as the starting quarterback and try to equal the resume Foles has put together as his backup. The idea that would be an issue for Wentz two years ago would have been laughable, but the challenge of replacing Foles is now a very real one.
As Wentz mentioned himself at his end-of-the-year press conference, he knows his own resume has holes in it. He is entering year four and has yet to play in a playoff game, let alone win one. Although he played a role in capturing Super Bowl LII, the harsh truth is that the ring the team won that day will count on Foles' resume far more than it will on Wentz's.
To surpass Foles in the eyes of the public, Wentz will have to not only have to bring his team into the playoffs, but he is going to have to win once he gets there. A trip to the playoffs next year won't be enough. Not after the game Foles won in Chicago last season, and the game he nearly won in New Orleans. Fair or not, anything short of a trip to the postseason with a win ontop of it is going to be viewed as a disappointment next season and will brig back questions about Foles, especially if Wentz doesn't play well in the playoffs.
That is the issue with Wentz having to chase Foles' shadow — Foles had the benefit of having Wentz get him there and only needing to finish the job. Wentz likely won't have that luxury. He will need to secure his team a trip to the postseason starting in Week 1— something Foles didn't have to do. He will need to win the second Super Bowl, a task that is way harder for a team than capturing the first one. He will need to win consistently in big games, over multiple seasons, to earn the reputation Foles has in the city.
Then there is the Philly Voice article. The article was the first, serious shot at Wentz since he entered the NFL. It was the first time he has had to deal with something negative attached to his name. How the story ultimately ends up being viewed remains to be seen, but fair or not, the narrative in the article is now attached to Wentz and will be brought up if he struggles next season.
No matter how you slice, it, the task infront of Wentz is a tough one.
Now, without the Foles safety net and doubt surrounding him for the first time, it is going to be up to Wentz to step back into the spotlight, recapture the team and deliver.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
