Doug Pederson Backs Carson Wentz After Brett Favre’s Doubts

Coach Doug Pederson was direct when responding to Brett Favre’s comments about the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback situation.

“Carson (Wentz) is our guy,” Pederson told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Favre said on ESPN’s First Take that the Eagles would have been better off had they kept Nick Foles back in 2018. Instead, Foles jettisoned for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is now with the Chicago Bears.

Wentz remained, and the Eagles are now 3-4-1. That’s good enough for first place in the laughable NFC East, but no one’s exactly talking about an Eagles run to the Super Bowl.

In fact, the last man to lead the Eagles to that football promised land was Foles, who replaced the then-injured Wentz for the playoffs in 2017. The Eagles beat the New England Patriots and Foles was named Super Bowl LII MVP.

“I think [Wentz] is very capable,” Favre said on First Take. “I think we’re all in agreement that he has the tools. I actually thought they should have kept Nick Foles rather than Carson Wentz, just based off of production and where they got to.

“You know, they won a Super Bowl with Foles. They’re obviously banking on [Wentz’s] upside, but how many more years do you let him linger before you stick with him or cut bait?”

Pederson knows all about QB controversies. He survived a few during his own NFL playing days, and even served as Favre’s backup with the Green Bay Packers.

“I respect Brett’s opinion,” Pederson told reporters. “We are friends. I haven’t talked to him. He’s entitled to that, and that’s about it.”

When pressed on the Wentz-Foles topic, Pederson didn’t relent.

“Carson was our draft pick (No. 2 overall in 2016),” Pederson said. “Carson’s the guy who’s going to carry us and lead this football team. Listen, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Those aren’t my words. Those aren’t [G.M. Howie Roseman’s] words, [owner Jeffrey Lurie’s] words. Those are [Favre’s] words. I respect that opinion.

“Whatever he wants to say, that’s fine. We’re going to remain friends. That doesn’t bother me one way or the other.”

That’s good news for Wentz. After all, there would be nothing worse than your own coach coming out and saying he wished the Eagles had struck with the other guy, too.