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5 NFL players under pressure to step up in 2019 season

By William Ricks

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz is coming into this season with a good amount of pressure on his shoulders. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is coming into a season where the Eagles made it clear that he is their quarterback of the future. If they want that future to stay intact, Wentz needs to be able to finish a season.

Injuries have plagued Wentz these last two seasons. In 2017, he suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 13, which caused him to miss their Super Bowl run that year. In 2018, he suffered a fracture in his back, which caused him to miss the Eagles’ final five regular season games and their two playoff games.

These injuries caused backup Nick Foles to step in and he played just as well (and sometimes better) than Wentz when he was filling in for him. This caused fans and analysts alike to question whether Philly should stick with Foles coming into this season.

Well, Foles decided to move on from Philly and take his talents to Jacksonville. Now, with Foles not waiting in the shadows, it is time for Wentz to not only stay healthy but to also produce as he did in 2017 prior to his injury when he was the likely leader to win MVP.

The difference in Foles and Wentz was their willingness to throw the ball deep down the field. Foles didn’t mind heaving the ball deep, while Wentz played a more cautious, almost dink and dunk style of play when he was under center. Wentz needs to become more a deep ball thrower. With a great possession receiver in Alshon Jeffrey, Wentz shouldn’t be hesitant when the deep ball is there.

This year is an important year financially for Wentz as, if he performs well, he could be in line for a new contract next offseason. The Eagles will be more than ready to pay him but they need to see that he can stay healthy and perform at a high level for a full season.

There is pressure to perform, but also pressure to play a full season for Wentz. If you can’t be out there for your team when they need you most, that will get old for teammates and a Philly fanbase that expects a lot of their Eagles. He is undoubtedly their franchise quarterback, but now its time to play like one — and stay healthy like one as well.

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