Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports The Eagles had a disastrous 2020 calendar year, dating back to the Wild Card loss in January to Seattle, where Carson Wentz was knocked out of the game due to a concussion sustained from a hit to the head from former Seattle DE Jadeveon Clowney.
Here are 3 resolutions for the Eagles going into 2021.
1. Salvage the relationship with Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz was horrible in 2020. Wentz has led the league in turnovers through week 16. He currently ranks 28th in QBR and 34th in passer rating. Yet, his past performance and current contract situation make it too large of a risk to move on from Carson Wentz after one bad season.
From 2017 to 2019, Wentz had a passer rating of 98.3, finishing 4th in 2017 and 7th in 2018. He came back in 2019 with nearly a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and carried the Eagles to the NFC East crown with a December to remember.
Trading him away and taking on a $33,820,608 dead cap hit makes little sense. Jalen Hurts, although a very promising NFL prospect, hasn’t proven enough in 3 starts to justify such a move.
There needs to be a meeting between Wentz, Jeff Lurie, and Howie Roseman after the season. They need to see where his head is at and what exactly he is feeling. If he is willing to come back knowing he is on a short leash for 2021 and will need to prove himself once again, then bring him back. If he is unhappy with that situation, then look to trade him.
2. Bring back Doug Pederson and hire an offensive coordinator.
Doug Pederson deserves to be back in 2021. Yes, he did not have a good 2020. Yes, his play calling was suspect this year. But, winning a Super Bowl and making the playoffs the following two seasons is enough to justify giving him one more chance for 2021. It would be unprecedented for a coach to be fired so soon after winning a Super Bowl.
The injuries played a huge part to the failures of 2020, specifically the injures to the offensive line. Should Doug keep harping on the injuries as an excuse in press conference for his failings? No, nobody wants to hear that from the head coach. But, Pederson is absolutely correct, the injuries are a huge reason the Eagles are where they are right now.
The Eagles must bring in an offensive coordinator to assist Doug in 2021. Having another strong voice in the room will help the design of the offense and the game plans on that side of the ball. As long as Doug agrees with that, then Doug stays. If Doug refuses to get on board with bringing in an offensive coordinator, then you move on from the coach.
3. Fire Jim Schwartz
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s shelf time In Philly is up. Schwartz must go. Yes, he is working with little talent in the secondary and linebacker groups of his defense. Schwartz has a large say of the personnel of his defense. These players are picked by him.
His management of the game in Dallas, last Sunday was unacceptable. Leaving CB Michael Jacquet to cover Michael Gallup through the third quarter was pure negligence. Performances like that in a do or die game in Dallas cost coaching jobs.
His defense gave up a Super Bowl record 613 yards against the Patriots along with 33 points. Schwartz started LB Nate Gerry through almost half-way through this season, when it was clear Gerry cannot play, and there were better options on this roster. Jim Schwartz’s stubborn ways have reached an end point.