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Carson Wentz on $128M Contract Extension with Eagles: It 'Was a Win-Win'
June 11, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz believes his recent four-year, $128 million extension is a fair deal for both parties.
"It's something both sides wanted to get done. I knew I wanted this to be home for a long time, and ever since being drafted, it's felt like home," Wentz told reporters Monday. "So as soon as we found something that was a win-win, a really fair opportunity, I jumped at it, just because I love this place and I want to be here for a while, so I felt it was a good time."
Wentz's deal includes a record $107.9 million in guaranteed money and can max out at $144 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman).
Before the extension, the 2016 second overall pick had two years remaining on his rookie deal after the team previously picked up his fifth-year option. Now, he is signed through the 2024 season.
Wentz has played a key role in Philadelphia's success over the last two years. He was a leading candidate for the 2017 NFL MVP award, throwing for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the Eagles to an 11-2 mark. However, a torn ACL cut his season short in Week 14.
He was sidelined as backup Nick Foles led the franchise to its first Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LII.
Wentz missed the first two games of 2018 as he continued to work his way back from his knee injury. When he returned, he completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,074 yards and 21 touchdowns.
He was, however, limited to 11 games, as a stress fracture in his back kept him off the field for the final three regular-season contests and both playoff games. Meanwhile, Foles won a postseason contest for the second consecutive season and had the Eagles driving late in the divisional round for a potential game-winning score.
Philadelphia had a tough decision to make regarding Foles this offseason but let him walk in free agency rather than pay him starting quarterback money to be an insurance option. Wentz is now the undisputed starter.
The fourth-year signal-caller's new deal won't affect how he goes about his business, though.
"For me, that's not going to change how I prepare, how I focus, how I go out and compete every game," Wentz told reporters. "You just kind of have to block it out a little bit and just keep doing what you know how to do, and that's just keep getting better every single day. The pressure is always going to be there, so never let it bog me down."
"I'm going to be the hard working guy, blue collar guy. That's never going to change. ... I'm just as hungry as ever."