Jeffrey Lurie is excited about Carson Wentz, Eagles' future
Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie addressed the media for the first time in a over a year on Tuesday.
Lurie is excited about the team's future, and particularly about second-year quarterback Carson Wentz.
"All the ingredients are there with Carson," Lurie said at his press conference. "You've been around him and I think you know what we have, but it has to all play itself out."
Lurie seemed proud of the organization for identifying Wentz as a quarterback who was worth trading up twice to acquire in the 2016 NFL Draft.
"It was a very detailed and involved process," Lurie said of drafting Wentz. Lurie went on to say that at the time, the Eagles had "80 pages of reports" on the quarterback.
Lurie and the organization want Wentz to continue to work with the same players and personnel. That desire for continuity caused them to block quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo from interviewing for the New York Jets offensive coordinator position this offseason.
"Our philosophy is the coach makes those decisions. And Doug [Pederson] talked to me about it and we talked about the need to keep stability for Carson at that position. I just supported Doug, it was sort of like, this was a no brainer," Lurie said of keeping DeFilippo. "Very good young coach, he's going to do great in the NFL. It was important, as Doug and I talked about it, that in year two to keep the same quarterback coach and just allow that to flourish for Carson."
Lurie went on to name several factors that he likes about Wentz.
"Starts with physical talent — that's, I think, pretty obvious. Number two, it's the personality and leadership ability that this guy brings. Number three, does he have the intelligence, football intelligence and obsession to be really good. And fourth, he's got a way with his teammates that's impressive," Lurie said. "Humble and hardworking to the core."
Though Lurie heaped praise on Wentz, he also made sure to stay grounded with his thoughts on the quarterback. There are many things that can derail a promising career.
"Can he stay healthy? Can he continue to grow? Can he perform as we go forward, the way the curve should go? It's a hope," Lurie said. "That's all it is, it's a hope."
