Of the Eagles quarterbacks both current and former, Chase Daniel still has to be one of the most confused after a blockbuster trade that sent Sam Bradford to Minnesota and hoisted Carson Wentz to Week 1 starter.
The longtime Andy Reid disciple was plucked from Kansas City this offseason on a three-year, $21 million contract and understood his place as Bradford's immediate backup and Wentz's mentor.
But now that Wentz is the starter?
"It's unfortunate for me personally, but that's not what it's about," Daniel said, via CSN Philly. "It's not about one person, it's about the team. It's about what gives us the best shot to win moving forward and obviously, some guys think that's Carson. And that's fine and we're going to get behind that and roll with it. Like I said, my preparation is not going to change. If anything it helps me a little bit more to just get that fire going and to help the young buck come Sunday."
He added: "I think any competitor would be a little disappointed. But believe me, it's not going to get in the way of my preparation. It's not going to hinder me in any way moving forward. Carson's ready for this and it's about him now. And we're going to move forward like that."
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted what we were all thinking, but what we couldn't detect in Daniel's words to the press over the weekend: He's not happy. And really, we can't blame him.
Daniel won't play now unless Wentz sustains some sort of injury. If the Eagles were bold enough to deal Bradford in order to clear the way for their No. 2 pick, they are certainly smart enough to know that they cannot destroy his confidence by benching him for Daniel at some point during the season (and they won't).
When Daniel took the job, so many people said the money was for much more than talent. Daniel was going to be a coach as much as he was going to be a viable option on field. Looks like his coaching muscles will be put to work early.
