Golden Tate Reflects on Carson Wentz
Getting traded midway through an NFL season is tough to deal with for most players in any situation. For the former veteran wide receiver, Golden Tate, he entered an awkward situation with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2018.
During the pre-Jalen Hurts era of Eagles football, the Doug Pederson-led Eagles found themselves in a tricky situation. Despite watching their young franchise quarterback turn in an MVP-caliber season before going down with a knee injury, the Eagles saw Carson Wentz's backup, Nick Foles, lead the team on a shocking Super Bowl run.
Foles was crowned the Super Bowl Champion in 2018, which led many to question whether Wentz was truly fit to be the face of the franchise. As injuries and pressure continued to pile up for Wentz during the post-Super Bowl season, Golden Tate witnessed a young quarterback cracking under pressure.
Recently, the retired wideout recalled his short stint with the Eagles on an episode of 'Bussin' With the Boys.'
"He was a young guy. Obviously, being drafted in the first round and the city of Philadelphia, is hard, man. Everybody knows their sports, and everyone has an opinion. They are not afraid to boo you. You could have 11 straight good games, and one bad game, and you're getting booed," Tate said.
"Dealing with that as a young man is already enough. And you're the quarterback. You're the face of the franchise, and then this happens. Nick comes in and takes you the rest of the way. I know, like, on camera, I'm super happy for the guy. But deep down, you're thinking, 'Man, is this the beginning of the end? How do they view me? Do they even think I was a huge part of the Super Bowl run?' You just got all these thoughts that pop into your head."
When Tate joined the Eagles after a midseason trade between Philadelphia and the Detroit Lions, he was quickly embraced by Wentz, who was still healthy enough to play. The QB-WR duo had a few games together before Wentz was back on the injury report, leaving Tate to catch passes from Foles.
Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 15, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 15, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
PhotoBetween Tate and Wentz, there doesn't seem to be any bad blood. After all, Tate noted that he was a part of Wentz's small circle while in Philadelphia. As for the rest of the team? The veteran wideout noted that Wentz wasn't as open to maintaining a solid relationship with everybody.
"It felt like with Carson, he had his four to five to six guys that he liked and he hung with, and that was all that mattered," Tate explained.
"Everyone else it felt like, 'Bro, do you want to hang out with me? Do you want to have a relationship? Do you want to have lunch, dinner? Can we do something together?' That's kind of just the feel. I wasn't there long enough, nor did I want to even step into all that and deal with all of that. This is enough."
Wentz's shortcomings as a player and a teammate were well-documented during his time in Philadelphia. While he didn't lose his job to Foles after the 2018 season, the eventual arrival of Jalen Hurts gave the Eagles confidence to move on from Wentz after the 2020 NFL season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
6 Eagles with the most to prove during training camp
With rookies and veterans now at the NovaCare Complex for training camp, we're looking at the six Eagles with the most to prove. The Eagles held a marvelous Super Bowl 59 ring ceremony on Friday. After the final celebration of February's win over Kansas City, Philadelphia will now officially turn the page and quickly refocus on the task at hand. The hunters are now the hunted, and the Birds will report on Tuesday with the mindset of defending their title and staying hungry in the process. Lost in the celebration is the urgency that several key players and one high-profile assistant coach will face over the next few weeks, as each individual plays a crucial role in a potential return to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara. With rookies and veterans now at the NovaCare Complex for training camp, we're looking at the six Eagles with the most to prove. OC Kevin Patullo Nick Sirianni's longtime confidant, who had previously served as the passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore accepted the head coaching position in New Orleans. Following the issues that arose with Brian Johnson two years ago, Patullo will be under the microscope. The last time Philadelphia hired from within, Brian Johnson had a one-year run with the Eagles' offense, and things imploded so severely that the Eagles lost six of their final seven games. Patullo has a machine, and he'll need to mold that juggernaut into his personality. DB Kelee Ringo The Eagles lost Darius Slay (Steelers), James Bradberry (free agent), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) in free agency and signed Adoree' Jackson. Even with those moves, Philadelphia didn't draft a cornerback until the fifth round when they selected Mac McWilliams out of UCF. Ringo is the biggest winner of the offseason and'll have the inside track to be a starter. DT Jordan Davis The Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on Jordan Davis this offseason, and the 2022 first-round pick will look to capitalize on the six tackles and two sacks during the Super Bowl run. Davis (6-6, 336 pounds) has started all 40 regular-season and postseason contests over the past two seasons, but needs a strong season to warrant a long-term extension. TE Dallas Goedert Goedert (team-record 52 career playoff catches) led the Eagles in receptions (17) and receiving yards (215) in the postseason. After reworking his deal, the talented tight end could earn his first out-right Pro Bowl nod. OL Tyler Steen Tyler Steen went from likely starter to a reserve in 2024, starting three games, including the NFC Championship, and playing more than 400 snaps on offense (including postseason games). Entering his third season, Steen (6-6, 321 pounds) will look to win the right guard job that opened up when Mekhi Becton signed with the Chargers in free agency. DB Sydney Brown The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston for Kenyon Green, opening up a starting role for Sydney Brown or Tristin McCollum. Brown is a physical safety who is stout on special teams but doesn't operate efficiently in space or match up against elite pass catchers. Enter Andrew Mukuba, a Swiss army knife from Texas who could keep Brown relegated to special team duties. Mukuba can play the slot, operate in space, and play with range, drawing comparisons to Gardner-Johnson.
NBC Sports
19 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
2025 Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview: Jalen Hurts and the band will continue to win however they want
Mike Florio explains why the Eagles are going to hit a hard reset after they get their Super Bowl rings and why Nick Sirianni has the right mindset by taking everything one day at a time. The Eagles were a fantasy football goldmine in 2024 and this time had the defense to match which led to them destroying the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. The band is back and the roster is still loaded with not a single projected starter coming from free agency in 2025. Nick Sirianni has his share of haters for how he operates, but his results cannot be denied. He and Jalen Hurts have been the perfect coach-quarterback marriage on the field as they've not missed the playoffs since Hurts has been the starter in Philly. The Eagles can and will win games by how they see fit whether it's big days from Saquon Barkley or the passing game with Hurts, A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. With so many fantasy relevant players, the Eagles will continue to provide our roster with top-tier upside this season. 2025 Philadelphia Eagles Stats (Ranks) Points per game: 27.2 (7th) Total yards per game: 367.2 (8th) Plays per game: 65.5 (3rd) Dropbacks per game: 33.6 (31st) Dropback EPA per play: 0.17 (8th) Rush attempts per game: 36.5 (1st) Rush EPA per play: 0.06 (1st) Coaching Staff The Eagles started 10-1 in the 2023 season then stumbled down the stretch and subsequently were dominated by the Buccaneers in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. After that, Nick Sirianni was sort of put on an imaginary 'hot seat' by football fans on the internet. It was odd, but the vibes were there. Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman made the biggest splash of the 2024 offseason and brought in Saquon Barkley. Another big pivot was moving off of Brian Johnson and onto Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator. Both moves paid heavy dividends as the Eagles' rushing offense was historically great. The defense going from one of the worst in the NFL (26th ranked) in 2023 to the absolute best in 2024 didn't hurt either. Capping the season off with a blowout win over the Chiefs has put Sirianni amongst the league's best head coaches, if he wasn't already. With success in the NFL comes the losses of players and staff members who go on to get bigger contracts and promotions respectively. In this case for the Eagles it was the loss of Moore. Kevin Patullo, formerly the passing coordinator, is set to take over as offensive coordinator. He's been with the Eagles since 2021 (Jalen Hurts' first season as a full-time starter) and will look to let the good times roll. While he may add a few wrinkles, don't expect the Eagles to get away from what they do best and that's getting the ball to his best players and putting them in a position to excel. Patullo's familiarity with Hurts and the offense was a big reason he got promoted. The Eagles offense shouldn't miss a beat in 2025. Passing Game QB: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee WR: A.J. Brown, Johnny Wilson WR: Devonta Smith, Ainias Smith WR: Jahan Dotson, Terrace Marshall Jr. TE: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra Jalen Hurts attempted just 24 passes per game last season while ranking 22nd in total attempts with 361. Almost half of the Eagles' wins (six) last season being double-digit points played a large role in this. Despite this and as one of the elite quarterbacks (fantasy or otherwise) in the NFL, Hurts keeps his pass catchers highly relevant on a weekly basis in fantasy. As a passer, his decision making, deep ball accuracy (46% completion on passes thrown 20 or more yards) and the ability to extend plays will always give him the chance to come up with big gains. Frankly put, the Eagles don't need to throw the ball a million times a game to have a good and effective passing attack. This is evidenced by the fact A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith finished as WR12 and WR17 in fantasy points per game respectively. For good measure, Dallas Goedert was TE10. Here were their final stat lines for the season: Brown: 67-1079-7…13 games played Smith: 68-833-8 TD…13 games played Goedert: 42-496-2…10 games played Don't fall for the 'Brown isn't a WR1 because all they do is run' tales when the numbers and the on-field visuals stare you right in the face. When it comes to Jahan Dotson, I'd look for him to have a better year, but as long as everyone is healthy he shouldn't be considered for a spot on your fantasy roster. He's in a contract year so the motivation will certainly be there, but the opportunities won't (again, barring injury). Johnny Wilson is likely the Eagles' WR4 and will be used in red zone situations to utilize his 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame while Ainias Smith is solid backup slot receiver. Terrace Marshall Jr. was also brought in to provide further depth. There were questions about whether or not Goedert would still be on the Eagles in 2025, but those were answered when he agreed to a re-worked deal with the team. As noted above, he'll once again be a decent, but not good or great fantasy option who can give you big weeks here and there. He hasn't played a full season of games since his rookie year in 2018 due to various injuries. In the event he does get banged up, Grant Calcaterra immediately becomes an interesting streaming option as he's coming off of a season in which he was the Eagles' fourth leading receiver (24-298-1). If the Eagles were to ever be in a string of games where they all of sudden become more pass oriented, whoever the tight end is (and not the WR3) would be the third option in the passing game. Running Game RB: Saquon Barkley, A.J. Dillon, Will Shipley, Keilan Robinson OL (L-R): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson Regression is easy to talk about when you're discussing a player who became just the ninth man in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. If you're reading this article you likely know that's what Saquon Barkley accomplished last season which led to him finishing as fantasy's top running back. I will have Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson ranked ahead of him, but why can't Barkley do it again? Because of regression? Sure, I'll take a 1,500-yard, double-digit touchdown season from him with no problem. There should be no worries about 'wear and tear' or regression when it comes to Barkely, I mean, are you going to play fantasy football like a chicken? Or are you going to get the best players? The only concern you should maybe have is that he won't catch as many passes, but when knew that would be the case coming into 2024. His 33 receptions last season were his lowest in a season outside of 2020 when he missed 14 games due to an ACL injury. Now, injuries do happen and Barkley has had his share. In the event he does miss time (knock on wood), you'd likely see a committee approach with Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon. The Eagles strong offensive line that is considered at this point the best in the league, will be bringing the whole band back with the exception of Mehki Becton (who started 15 games). Tyler Steen will step into his spot at guard full time and the unit should keep on rolling. Expect the Eagles to once again be a top five rushing offense, if not the best. Win Total (O/U 11.5) Getting 12 wins in the NFL is tough and it's a high number, but that's the life of a champion. After finishing the regular season 14-3 last season, it should be noted that a late blunder vs. the Falcons (aided by a Saquon Barkley drop) in Week 2 and a game in which Jalen Hurts did not finish (Week 16) were two of those three losses. They'll have to replace some starters on the defensive backend, but overall the roster is still strong and the rest of the NFL let them have another good draft. Outside of the division they'll face teams like the Chiefs, Bills, Lions, Cowboys and Buccaneers (who beat them early last season), but as of today the Eagles are better than all of them and for all these reasons is why I'm taking the over on 11.5 wins for the champs. Chris Simms explains to Ahmed Fareed why Jalen Hurts is ranked No. 10 in the "Truth Hurts" tier of his QB countdown due to his strong ability to be a clutch leader but his lingering areas for improvement.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dolph Schayes said 76ers players resented him for giving Wilt Chamberlain special treatment: "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York"
Dolph Schayes said 76ers players resented him for giving Wilt Chamberlain special treatment: "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York" originally appeared on Basketball Network. In 1963, the late Dolph Schayes went straight from a 15-year Hall of Fame career to become the Philadelphia 76ers' player-coach. Expectations were high, but like many ex-athletes before and after him, it didn't take long for the former 12-time All-Star to learn a hard truth: success on the court doesn't automatically carry over to the sidelines. Schayes' early struggles are certainly noteworthy because, on paper, he had the perfect setup. Remember, Wilt Chamberlain — a once-in-a-generation talent — anchored the Sixers' roster at the time. While this might sound like a dream start for any basketball coach, the 2004 book "Wilt: Larger Than Life" reveals the challenges behind it. Chamberlain's impact In the early NBA years, it was almost impossible to find a bigger superstar than Chamberlain. Joining the league in 1959 as Philadelphia's territorial pick, the former Harlem Globetrotter made an immediate impact, winning MVP and Rookie of the Year, earning All-Star honors and leading the league in scoring (37.6 points per game) and rebounds (27.0 per game) as a first-year. But Chamberlain's dominance on the court wasn't the only thing that drew attention — his off-court stories did, too, ultimately boosting his superstar status. Chamberlain, known for his larger-than-life persona and rumored to have been with over 20,000 women, fully embraced the spotlight and became a cultural force beyond basketball. Wilt's star allure tested team chemistry The towering 7'1" center stood out on Schayes' roster — not just for his height, but for his star power, the kind of status that often came with special treatment. It's certainly a double-edged sword that can create friction within a team. Of course, that's not always the case — some former MVPs, like Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, kept a low, grounded profile and were beloved by their teammates. But Chamberlain, who won the award four times during his storied 14-year NBA career, wasn't wired that way. He gladly accepted the extra perks that came with his heightened status in the league and within the Sixers organization. If anyone deserved them, it was him. Still, other players on the team resented it — especially when success was hard to come was caught in the middle Schayes, who had to manage it all, recalled key moments when this challenging dynamic came to a head. "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York," the 1966 Coach of the Year admitted. "One of the conditions, I think, for Wilt to come back to Philadelphia from San Francisco was that he could live in New York. Wilt was a night person. I think Wilt felt he wasn't as noticeable at night. He didn't like to practice in the morning. The guys wanted to practice early, to get it over with, so they had the rest of the afternoon off. But because of Wilt, we'd practice late in the day, at 4:00. The guys held it against me." Ultimately, his hands were tied. Schayes recalled team owner Ike Richman telling him to side with Chamberlain, saying, "There's no other way," likely fearing the fallout for the franchise if their cornerstone player decided to walk away. Tensions flared again during the 1965 playoffs against the iconic Boston Celtics. After winning Game 3, Dolph called for practice, but Wilt, citing fatigue, stayed in New York City. Boston took Game 4 in overtime, putting Philadelphia on the brink of elimination. Before Game 5, the Big Dipper missed another morning practice. While frustration ran high, the 76ers' head coach publicly defended his star player. "Wilt killed himself yesterday. He played a great game. So I excused him from practice… Before Tuesday night's game we're going to hold a strategy session. And Wilt will be there," he said. However, not every Sixer shared that support, as one anonymous player disclosed to the press. "Sure, he should have been here [at the practice]. Isn't Wilt just like you and me?" he was quoted. "Today was the same as it's been all year long. Wilt misses a practice and it sort of aggravates the guys." Ultimately, basketball is a team game. No matter how dominant a player is, no one wins alone, making team cohesion essential for sustained success. It's clear the Sixers lacked that unity in 1965, which played a major role in their 4-3 loss to the Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals. Afterward, Boston's superstar Bill Russell, known for his leadership and locker room presence, highlighted that very issue. "This may sound trite, but it's very true," the NBA icon explained. "I think this is a team game. I'm not saying anything bad about Wilt Chamberlain. He had a great and I voted for him for Most Valuable Player. But any time you take this game out of the team realm, you foul up your team."This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
