PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time since he was benched, former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz offered answers and closure to his up-and-down, five-year tenure in Philadelphia.
Draped in a blue jacket — representing his new team, the Indianapolis Colts — he admitted it was difficult saying farewell to Philly.
“It is bittersweet leaving Philly this morning, and getting on a plane to come down here is kinda a final goodbye, but it’s an exciting journey for not just me football-wise but my family as well to start over,” he said.
Ironically, the Eagles’ video press conference ended up overlapping with Wentz’s. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Wentz and his representative felt after “honest conversations” this offseason, “maybe it was best to kind of move on.”
In his opening statement, Roseman said, “Obviously with the trade we made” — sending Wentz to Indy for a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 conditional second-round pick — “we felt like it was in the best interest of both parties.”
Wentz neither confirmed nor denied that he wanted out.
“I’m not saying one way or another,” Wentz said. “There was a lot of conversations, a lot of things that kinda shook out and as it played out. This is what went down and I’m excited about it.”
While he said he did everything he could to be supportive of the decision, Wentz admitted getting benched by Jalen Hurts “wasn’t fun.” He said that moment in Green Bay “was probably the moment that I realized this might not be it.”
“Anytime you’re pulled, you don’t know … am I going to go back out next week? Next drive? I had no idea,” he recalled. “Those thoughts definitely creep in once you’re benched, and that’s just how it unfolded.”
Amid speculation of his reasons for leaving, Wentz defended his competitiveness and highlighted his efforts: “For five years I gave everything I had, both on and off the field.”
Wentz also addressed previous controversies that claimed he was unable to connect with teammates. In life and football, you can’t please everybody, he said, but he conceded he’s not perfect and has flaws.
“If any of my teammates out there don’t think I was the best teammate, I apologize,” he said. “I wish I could be better. Last year was tough for everybody just building those relationships (because of COVID-19 protocols).”
Wentz did not address his relationship with former head coach Doug Pederson. Pederson previously denied the “little misnomer out there that Carson and I were on such bad terms.” According to Pederson, “I never felt that way.” Wentz briefly complimented Pederson during his press conference when reminiscing on the 2017 season.
In the end, Wentz acknowledged this is not how he envisioned his time in Philadelphia to conclude.
It featured a promising rookie season and a spectacular sophomore campaign that ended with a serious injury for him, but also an elusive Super Bowl for the franchise set up by his performance.
More injuries followed Super Bowl LII. In December 2019, Wentz carried the Eagles into the postseason and finally got to play in a playoff game — before suffering a concussion from what many believe was a dirty hit by former Seattle Seahawk Jadeveon Clowney.
Wentz was supposed to be the franchise quarterback for more than a decade, but the regression of the 2020 season eventually led to the trade that sent him to the Colts.
“When I lay my head on that pillow at night, I know I gave everything I had,” he added. “It didn’t go the way that we all desired and wanted it to go, but I can sleep well at night knowing I poured my heart and soul … into that city on and off the field, and we’re excited for a new start and a new opportunity.”