March 01, 2017
Under NFL rules, teams with returning head coaches have to wait until April 17th to begin offseason workout programs. That means Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has to hold off until then to officially begin Year 2 of the Carson Wentz era in Philadelphia.
Playing with a lackluster supporting cast, Wentz had his ups and downs as a rookie in 2016, finishing with 3,782 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in all 16 games. The Eagles are clearly hoping that Wentz can make a leap in his sophomore year.
Speaking at the 2017 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Pederson said that his advice to Wentz at the end of the season was to recharge his batteries.
“Take time off, get away, get healthy, get fresh, get rejuvenated,” Pederson said. “And that’s what he’s done.”
Of course, after some time off Wentz has gotten back on the field in preparation for his second season. On social media last week, we saw that the Eagles QB was working with both free-agent running back Latavius Murray and Nelson Agholor (he’s baaaaackkk) in California:
Got some work in with my man Nelly today 👌🏻 big things ahead. pic.twitter.com/kLyqCDgx8W
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) February 19, 2017
Even though he is frustrated that the Eagles staff doesn’t have the ability to work with Wentz, Pederson appreciates that the 24-year-old is trying to get better away from the NovaCare Complex.
“For him to go and develop his craft, and to get better, and seek some training outside of our building, it just helps them get better,” Pederson said. “I’m all for guys getting better and helping the football team win games in the fall.”
Earlier in the offseason, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said that the front office will seek Wentz’s input and make sure he is on board with some of the team’s acquisitions.
While Pederson can’t talk until Wentz before April 17th (which is still before the NFL Draft), he said that he can serve as an intermediary between the players and the scouting department.
“I listen to my team,” Pederson said. “I take what they have to say, I listen to what they have to say. But I also have to be a filter for the information. I trust our scouting department and Howie and Joe Douglas and those guys that will make the best decisions possible when draft time comes.”
Cold take incoming: If Wentz badly wants to let Howie know about something, my guess is that he doesn’t necessarily have to go through Doug.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
