Extra Points: Wentz Not Planning on Opting Out

Carson Wentz plans on playing this season.

The Eagles quarterback announced Thursday during a videoconference with the media that he doesn't intend to opt out this season, at least for now.

"You never know this is going to fully unfold, but I feel safe here (at the NovaCare Complex)," he said. "This is something my wife (Maddie) and I talked a lot about, prayed a lot about, and we feel good with our decisions. But at the same time I completely respect the guys who did decide to opt out for personal reasons, family reasons, health reasons."

As of Thursday, 30 NFL players had chosen not to play this season in accordance with the agreement established between the league and the Player's Association.

New wide receiver Marquise Goodwin was the only Eagle to do so as of Thursday. Goodwin and his wife, Morgan, are parents to a baby daughter born in February after previously losing three sons, including twins, due to pregnancy complications.

"I talked to Marquise Goodwin the other day and I fully respect his decision," Wentz said.

"I'm bummed that I'm not going to be playing with him this season, but I fully respect those guys' decisions to opt out. I'm not surprised (players have opted out) just because there are guys with health decisions, guys who even have to look after their parents. You have to take care of your family. It's not about you."

Wentz and the rest of the team are undergoing currently undergoing Covid-19 testing and staging virtual meetings as part of Phase One of training camp. Three Eagles players - linebacker Nate Gerry, tackle Lane Johnson, tackle Jordan Mailata - were placed on the team's injured/Covid-19 list Wednesday as having either tested positive or having been in exposed to someone who tested positive.

Johnson confirmed on Twitter Wednesday night that he tested positive, despite not exhibiting any symptoms.

"I'm optimistic we can execute all the protocols and guys can stay safe and healthy," Wentz said. "But I'm also not an idiot. You just don't full know how everything's going to unfold. So until something changes, I'm going to be here working and ready to go."

The offseason was different for Wentz for many reasons.

He was healthy for the first time in two years and was free to work out rather than rehab. He conducted a few workouts in Houston with some members of the Eagles' offense in March but was forced to cut the sessions short once the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

In April, his wife gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter Hadley.

"I think everyone in the back of their mind was wondering, 'What does it look like for me safety-wise? What does it look like for my family safety-wise? And I was no different. The health and safety of my family is definitely different than for guys who are single or don't have kids or wives. I definitely had to take all those factors in."

Because of the pandemic, NFL teams were prohibited from holding offseason minicamps and OTAs.

As part of training camp schedules, full-pads practices won't begin until Aug. 17.

"The offseason was definitely different for me and a lot of guys," Wentz said. "The last couple offseasons I was dealing with injuries and was year I was able to get after it and work a little harder. I was fortunate. I've got a gym at the house and a lot of grass and space to get my workouts in, so I'm ready."