Philadelphia Eagles: 5 offseason needs in 2020

2. Stress ball security with QB Carson Wentz

To date, the biggest criticism of Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz has been availability. He was a 16-game starter as a rookie back in 2016. The following year, he was injured in a Week 14 win over the Rams at Los Angeles in the midst of an MVP-like season. Then-backup Nick Foles took the team the rest of the way and the franchise captured its first Super Bowl title.

The following year started and ended with Foles and Wentz in the middle for 11 contests. Again he was not the Eagles’ quarterback in the postseason – one that ended eventually with a loss to the Saints at the Superdome in the divisional round.

This past season, Wentz started every regular-season contest. He carried the load down the stretch when the team was depleted of pass-catchers. But in the wild card matchup vs. the visiting Seattle Seahawks, he left the game with a concussion and veteran Josh McCown took the club the rest of the way in a 17-9 loss.

Yes, four years into his career and he’s missed his share of games. But perhaps the bigger issue with the second overall pick in the 2016 draft has been his somewhat-careless approach when it comes to taking care of the football. In 57 total outings, including the playoff loss to the ‘Hawks, there have been 97 TD passes and 35 interceptions. He’s also put the ball on the ground 49 times and lost 19 fumbles.

In ’19, there were 17 fumbles in as many games, seven of those recovered by the opposition. It’s safe to say that this is an area that needed to improve.

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