LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio does not give unwarranted praise to first-year players, especially not rookie quarterbacks.
A 30-year NFL coaching veteran, Fangio is responsible on a weekly basis for thwarting quarterbacks, and he certainly knows the difference between average and above average play at the offense’s most important position. Fangio even matched wits for three seasons at practice with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning when the 58-year-old assistant coordinated the Indianapolis Colts defense from 1999-2001.
So, in an era when coaches routinely pay lip service to opposing players, Fangio came across as genuine when discussing Eagles rookie Carson Wentz, who passed for 278 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut versus Cleveland.
The Bears (0-1) play host to the Eagles (1-0) on Monday Night Football.
“He’s pretty damn impressive,” Fangio said on Thursday. “It looks now that Philadelphia is going to be very well-rewarded for the risk they took on draft day giving up a lot of stuff to get this guy because he looks like he’s going to be a long-term helluva quarterback. And then they got Christmas given to them when the Vikings had their misfortune [when Teddy Bridgewater got hurt] and they were able to unload their overload at quarterback for a couple picks."
Fangio continued: “So they took a chance, they did a helluva job with it, and I think they’re going to be rewarded with it. I think the guy is very impressive. He has a big arm, can move, he’s athletic and mobile. He’s very poised, doesn’t get flustered. He’s very comfortable in running their offense even though he only played a little bit in the preseason. Obviously the work they’ve done with him, their coaching staff, through the OTAs and the training camp was time very well spent. He’s been a quick study and learns well.”
Wentz stood out when the Browns brought pressure. He completed all eight of his attempts against five or more pass rushers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Philadelphia completed only 50.9 percent of balls against such rushes in 2015, tied for third worst in the league.
“Great poise for a young guy,” Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said. “Great footwork. And I would say, yeah, he is [more poised than most first-year quarterbacks].”
The No. 2 overall pick is also not afraid to stretch the field. Wentz went 5-of-6 on deep balls of 15 yards or more, a vast improvement over last year, when the Eagles completed five such passes just once (Week 17 vs. the New York Giants).
“[Wentz] is a tough cookie,” Bears linebacker Willie Young said. “That’s the most I have on him right now. He can definitely stand in there and not mind taking a hit. And he’ll bounce right back up. That’s unusual for a young guy like that. Defensively we just have to get in his face and throw off his timing.”