Carson Wentz’s Biggest Problem: Confidence

Carson Wentz’s confidence is at an all-time low. You don’t need to be a football wizard to figure that out. If you’ve watched just about any Eagles game this season, you can clearly see that Wentz isn’t right.

 

All season, fans have asked the same question: what the heck happened to Carson Wentz?

 

I wish I had a concrete answer. I wish anyone had an answer. He has gone from the front-runner for the MVP trophy to the league-leader in turnovers in just three short years. It is one of the most rapid declines I’ve seen from a quarterback, well, ever.

 

In my opinion, the most glaring reason I can pinpoint for Carson’s poor play, especially lately, is confidence. He doesn’t look confident in anything he’s doing on the field right now.

 

Let’s take a look at two of likely many instances from Sunday where Wentz’s lack of confidence hurt the Eagles badly. Both of these plays are broken down by the great Brian Baldinger. He is an NFL Network analyst and former NFL offensive lineman, and is one of the few media members that can actually break down a play with sound football logic.

 

These two plays paint a clear picture of what is going on inside the mind of Carson Wentz.

 

Third & Three

 

This first play may not stick out in the minds of fans as much as the next play does. Yet, I think this play emphasizes how badly Wentz’s mind has been effected by his scarcity of confidence.

 

 

This play is supposed to be a quick-hitter to (*holds nose*) Alshon Jeffery on the outside. For all of Jeffery’s faults yesterday, he is still open on this play. Wentz angles his body toward Jeffery to make the throw, but doesn’t.

 

Why, you ask? The short answer is, it’s a tough throw. We’ve seen Wentz make this throw though, on multiple occasions. He can make that throw, and deep down I think he knows he can make that throw too. However, he is so unconfident in his abilities right now that he’s overthinking, and not just reacting.

 

As silly as it may sound, the one thing a football player cannot do on the field is think too much. This game is so instinctual, you cannot afford to spend precious time in the pocket thinking about whether you can make a throw or not. The opportunities will close quicker than you can say “he’s open.” Just let it rip.

 

Instead, Wentz pulls the ball back, and tries to step up into a quickly closing pocket. Blaming the offensive line on this play would be downright foolish. They are blocking, anticipating the ball to come out quickly. It’s no wonder the pocket closes in so quickly, because the play is designed to be so quick that the pocket shouldn’t even matter.

 

Wentz gets sacked, and now the Eagles are forced to punt on a play that should have been a first down.

 

The Pick Six

 

Boy oh boy was this ugly. It was bad at first glance, but the replays and analysis are what really twist the knife.

 

 

Wentz makes the right read pre-snap, as he recognizes zone coverage and changes into a play that will beat the coverage. It’s what he does after the snap that makes absolutely no logical sense.

 

Right off the bat, Jalen Reagor is wide open. I get this is supposed to be a long developing play. I understand that Wentz is not “supposed” to throw the ball yet, because the route is intended to be a deep route.

 

Still, looking at the replay, you see that Reagor looks back at Wentz when he realizes that he is wide open. Reagor is anticipating the ball right away, because contrary to popular belief, players are allowed to make adjustments mid-play.

 

Again, for whatever reason, Wentz doesn’t throw the ball. The safety is beginning to make his way toward Reagor, so I’m going to assume Wentz saw that and decided against trying to make that throw. Nonetheless, Carson can still make that throw before the safety gets there. He has the arm strength. He just doesn’t believe in it right now.

 

Instead, Wentz tries to check it down to Miles Sanders way too late. Of course, the rush gets there, Wentz is hit as he throws, and the ball flutters right into the hands of a Browns defender for a touchdown that was incredibly preventable.

 

The Main Culprit For Carson’s Deteriorating Confidence

 

So, what is the reason for Carson’s diminished confidence?

 

Part of the reason could be the horrendous play-calling. Another certain reason is that once the turnovers start coming, it’s hard to stop that ball from rolling. A psychological reason could be that he has been playing with so many different, unproven guys at important skill positions for the past two years. Let’s be honest though, I know that we’re all sick and tired of that argument.

 

Sunday’s game proved to me that the main reason for Wentz’s intense demise in confidence is due to the horrendous play of the offensive line. Before the season even started, the Eagles were down two of their projected starters in Brandon Brooks and Andre Dillard.

 

Brooks’ absence meant not only the loss of the Eagles best offensive lineman, but also the best right guard this league has to offer. However, Dillard’s unavailability is what may have hurt the Birds more. The Eagles became “forced” to move 56-year-old Jason Peters to left tackle after originally planning to play him at right guard.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Peters was beaten badly on three of the five sacks allowed by the Eagles offensive line. Like, Danny Watkins bad. Like, so bad that you could pick out a drunk guy from an Eagles tailgate (pre-COVID, of course) and he’d probably be able to bull rush Peters into Wentz’s lap.

 

It seemed as if Wentz found himself on the ground on every single pass play. It is so hard to convince yourself to keep getting up when you’re getting driven into the ground by 300 pound specimens play after play. Wentz has no confidence left, and if this kept happening to you, you wouldn’t have much left either.

 

I’m not trying to defend Wentz. I will, nevertheless, sympathize with him. I understand why his confidence tank is running on empty.

 

 

By Matt Szczypiorski | November 23, 2020
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