Carson Wentz has been slammed for sharing a picture of himself posing with a dead bear in Alaska on social media, with some football fans drawing similarities between the animal’s state and the free agent quarterback’s stalling NFL career.
On Friday, Wentz – a 2018 Super Bowl (LII) champion with the Philadelphia Eagles – shared several pictures of his kill, as well as his bow and arrow, through his hunting account on Instagram, along with the caption: ‘Got the opportunity to spot and stalk black bear in one of our new favorite places on earth — Alaska!
‘Incredible trip and an incredible animal!’
Despite being legally allowed to hunt the rather large omnivore in a state where bear hunting is a common practice, the photos didn’t impress many of Wentz’s followers, who instead took the opportunity to fire pot shots at the 30-year-old for his hobby, and relating it to the quarterback’s injury-plagued career somehow.
‘I bet he tore both ACLs trying to shoot that bear,’ one person commented under Wentz’s latest Instagram post. ‘I’m shocked the bear didn’t intercept the bullet,’ another added.
‘I see he’s able to target everything but an open receiver,’ a different follower shared.
‘Maybe Nick Foles shot it and he just tried to take credit for it,’ another person wrote, referring to Wentz’s 2017 season as a starter for the Eagles before he tore his ACL in Week 14 that year, paving the way for Foles to fill in and defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII to claim the franchise’s first ever title.
‘Awesome! Hang it on the wall next to your dead career!’ another person said, while a different user shared: ‘Dead. Just like your career.’
Washington Commanders starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke was impressed with the kill, commenting on his former teammate’s post: ‘Holy s*** man! Need a taste of ’em.’
Other people, however, seemed incensed with Wentz’s decision to not only kill the bear but to also pose for pics with it.
One follower shared: ‘Incredible animal so you kill it?? Makes sense,’ while another referred to Wentz’s Christian faith, which the quarterback mentions on his social media accounts, commenting: ”’christ follower” yet ur killing his creation for sport.’
‘Such an incredible animal [yet] you felt you needed to shoot it and pose with it’s corpse,’ another person said. ‘I’m not even particularly vocal about animal rights and even I think this is f****** pathetic.’
Wentz, who grew up hunting in North Dakota, regularly posts updates of his kills on his Instagram page. In the past he’s hunted deer and turkey as he even shared some footage of his hobby on his YouTube page.
Last week, the quarterback told ESPN that he intends to play in 2023 and is waiting for the ‘right situation’ despite being a free agent.
In the meantime, he’s been throwing and studying with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden in Tampa, Florida, as he eyes a return to the league.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz was traded away by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 before being cut by the Washington Commanders on February 27.
Wentz passed for 1,755 yards and 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions in just eight games (seven starts) in 2022.
He started the first six games of the season and was placed on injured reserve after breaking his finger. He went 2-5 as the starter.
He has thrown for 22,129 yards and 151 TDs against 66 INTs in 93 career games (92 starts). He has a career record of 46-45-1 as a starting QB. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 with the Eagles.
Gruden, 59, compiled a 117-112 record in 15 seasons as the head coach of the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (1998-2001, 2018-21) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08).