Carson Wentz Era Begins Week 1: Excitement Builds Despite Inexperience

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Coach Pederson names Carson Wentz the starter for Week 1 versus Cleveland. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/KQUZiGsysD

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 5, 2016"

Thirty-seven preseason snaps. That's all the on-the-job learning Carson Wentz will be afforded before making his first career NFL start on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. After the Eagles traded incumbent starting quarterback Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday for a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

Initial speculation was that backup Chase Daniels would become the placeholder while Wentz sat and learned. However, reports began to emerge—from ESPN's Adam Caplan and others—that the Eagles were considering starting Wentz if his injured rib, which caused him to miss the final three games of preseason, had fully healed. The second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft was named the opening day starter on Monday by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.

Wentz only started 23 games in college. Twenty-two of the 23 came against other Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams. The one exception? A 34-14 beatdown of Big 12 team Iowa State in his first NCAA start. He only attempted 612 passes. First overall pick Jared Goff attempted 1,568. Paxton Lynch, the third quarterback taken in the first round, attempted 1,205. The Eagles are going to have to run the ball effectively and play good defense while Wentz adjusts to the NFL.

He may be green and look good in midnight green, but the skills that led the Eagles to trade up twice to the second overall pick are undeniable. He's big, mobile and has a rocket for an arm. Expect Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich to use Wentz's mobility to their advantage.

A year ago Carson Wentz played his first game against the University of Montana Grizzlies. This year it will be against the Cleveland Browns.

Wentz is the future of Philadelphia Eagles football. The future starts on Sunday.