- The Washington Times - Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson defended his choice to bench Jalen Hurts for Nate Sudfeld in Sunday’s loss to Washington. But the move didn’t sit well with everyone on the Eagles. 

Philadelphia running back Miles Sanders said in a radio interview Tuesday that “nobody liked the decision” when Pederson swapped Hurts for Sudfeld in a three-point game during the fourth quarter. Pederson was accused of tanking the game to help getting a better draft choice, though the coach said the team wanted to a chance to evaluate Sudfeld in a lost season. 

Not every player approved.

“If I’m being honest, nobody liked the decision, nobody,” Sanders told 94WIP. “That’s all I can say, really. I don’t know who was the main person behind that decision. All I know is that a lot of people on the team was confused.”

Sanders, who didn’t play in Sunday’s 20-14 loss due to an injury, is the first Eagles player to publicly go against the decision. 

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, two players had to be restrained from physically confronting Pederson after the switch. Two other veterans went up to ask questions. 

Washington coach Ron Rivera said Monday that he would “not apologize for winning” and wasn’t concerned that Sudfeld entered the contest. 

Meanwhile, a source told the Associated Press that benched quarterback Carson Wentz needs time away to think about his future with the Eagles and there’s hope his relationship with the team won’t end in a divorce.

Wentz was benched for the final four games of the worst season of his five-year career and was inactive Sunday in a loss to Washington. He hasn’t spoken to reporters since Dec. 6. Wentz also hasn’t discussed his future with team officials yet, according the Associated Press.

This article is based in part on wire service reports.


• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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