One of the theories being posited in Eagle land is that Doug Pederson doesn’t have the final say when it comes to a few select positions on the team.

For example, people think Howie Roseman is overruling him on Jason Peters and Carson Wentz, which is why those two continue to play even though they’ve performed at a level we would describe as suboptimal in 2020.

Doug was asked about it Sunday, after the loss, and gave kind of a meandering non-answer. He didn’t say yes or no. Monday morning, in his weekly phone call with 94 WIP, he was asked first about what it would take to make a QB change, and answered this way:

“It’s gonna take us continuing to coach Carson Wentz, and to coach the entire offense. I have to look at it from that perspective. What I said after the game was the belief and trust that we can get it fixed and corrected in the next ball game, or the next six games. That’s where I’m at on that. I think Jalen has been doing a great job for us, for what we’ve asked him to do, and we continue to coach him as well, and Nate Sudfeld, and get those guys prepared also. That’s where I’m at with it.”

He also pushed back on the idea that he doesn’t think Jalen Hurts is ready to play, which is why no change has taken place:

“What I’m saying by that, is that I don’t want to send the wrong message to the football team, that anything is over. At that position, this late in the season when that happens, sometimes people take that as we are looking into next year or preparing for next season, whatever it might be, and giving some of these young guys an opportunity to play. That’s not the case. Jalen is preparing himself each week to play and that’s what a backup quarterback should do. My perspective is we that we have to get it fixed with Carson Wentz. That’s where my trust and faith lies, and we can get it done. That’s where I am at. By no means am I saying that I don’t have trust or faith in Jalen. It’s a matter of getting the corrections done with Carson.”

And finally, a straight-up question as to whether Doug has the final say in personnel decision making:

“I have the final say because I am the head coach and I get to make those decisions. But again, Angelo, it comes with careful consideration, by myself. That will be my decision if that happens.”

Do we believe him? Or is he just falling on the sword for Howie Roseman?

The problematic thing is when Doug says, in the second quote, “I don’t want to send the wrong message to the football team, that anything is over.” That’s a ridiculous idea. Benching the starting quarterback for another QB doesn’t mean the season is over. It means one guy stinks and the other guy might give you a better chance to win. Miami benched Tua Tagovailoa Sunday for poor play but their season isn’t close to being over. He’ll learn, come back next week, and get another shot. Andy Reid benched Donovan McNabb in week 10 back in 2008 and the Birds went to the NFC Championship Game anyway. The benching HELPED McNabb.

Sitting a dude for poor play is not the end of the world. It’s not sending the message that the season is “over.” Sometimes it can result in a proper course correction. They need to strongly consider this.