Wentz Works, Plans to Visit White House

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Doug Pederson confirmed that the Super Bowl champion Eagles will visit the White House on June 5, and star quarterback Carson Wentz plans to be there.

That's not the case for the entire team of course as a few have already bowed out in an effort to distance themselves from the current administration. President Donald Trump, of course, harshly criticized NFL players who have protested during the national anthem.

During a press conference before the team's OTA practice on Tuesday, Wentz supported those teammates, which include Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long and Torrey Smith, but said the visit is apolitical in his mind.

“I think it’s just a cool way to just receive the honor nationally and be recognized,” Wentz said. “I don’t personally view it like some people do. Everyone has their own opinion on it. I don’t view it as a political thing whatsoever. I don’t really mess with politics very often. But I think I will be involved in going to that.”

Wentz, however, did admit the team as a whole hasn't talked about the visit, although the fact that it has been accepted seems to indicate some will be there.

“I know for me personally, if the team decides as a whole, most guys want to go or be a part of it, I will be attending with them,” Wentz admitted.

Pederson will also attend: “I’m excited to be going and be honored as world champions. It’s a great honor. We’re still working through some logistics right now so we don’t have all the details of the day. But I’m excited.”

The coach also confirmed the visit will be an individual decision for each one of his players.

“It’s one of those things where again, we’re working through a ton of things but at the same time we understand that it’s an individual decision,” Pederson said.

On the health front, Wentz seems far ahead of schedule and was able to do some significant work during individual drills, something he foreshadowed before practice began.

“I’ll be involved in a handful of things,” he explained. “I’m not fully cleared to do everything yet, but I’ll be involved.”

Wentz looked very good throwing the football and even working on his footwork with new QB coach Press Taylor looking on.

He mixed in for about a half hour during the individual portion of the session before watching Nick Foles, Nate Sudfeld and South Jersey native Joe Callahan handle the heavy lifting in team drills.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

Want more NFL? Check out John's piece on why the comparison between Jared Goff and Mitchell Trubisky needs a little more nuance at GetMoreSports.com.