The NFL circles regarding coach relationships and front-office personnel are small, leading to familiarity. The head coaching trees of many all-time great staffs have influenced generations while creating opportunities for new or former players to keep their careers alive.
The Kansas City Chiefs have experienced extreme success and consistency under head coach Andy Reid, who has influenced many future NFL coaches by working with his staff. One of his proteges is current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. He won a Super Bowl and had success with quarterback Carson Wentz during their five seasons together in Philadelphia.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know the X’s and O’s yet,” Wentz told reporters on Thursday. “I see them from afar watching film or games, you know, whenever I’d see the Chiefs on, on film and those types of things.
“But I would imagine it’ll make sense to me pretty quick because of that, you know, being five years with Coach [Doug] Pederson. And that offense is, you know, there’s always little intricacies and differences.”
Wentz was a Pro Bowler under Pederson and was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league before injury. Pederson has served under Reid for years as a coordinator and has played for him as a quarterback in Philadelphia.
“I think a lot of it will make sense to me and kind of resonate with me pretty quickly,” Wentz explained. “That part I’m looking forward to, you know, the last couple of years, offenses have been very different than I’ve been in. I’ve goten to see a lot, experience a lot. So I think this one will hit home and be the most familiar for me over the last couple of years.”
108.6 Passer Rating ✅
71.4 Completion Percentage ✅
Game-Winning Drive ✅Watch all of the highlights from @cj_wentz's day against the Giants. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Hjh9bcWpbu
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 26, 2018
The similarity in styles could benefit the Chiefs in getting Wentz up to speed as Patrick Mahomes’ backup. This would be a solid situation for the veteran quarterback trying to get his career back on track.