JUNEAU, ALASKA: NFL free agent quarterback Carson Wentz is facing immense backlash after he shared a picture of himself next to a dead black bear in Alaska on social media. "Got the opportunity to spot and stalk black bear in one of our new favorite places on earth -- Alaska," Wentz, a 2018 Super Bowl (LII) champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, captioned the post as he uploaded several pictures of the hunt along with his bow and arrow. "Incredible trip and an incredible animal!"
Although bear hunting is a common practice in the state, the photos of him posing next to a large omnivore did not sit well with his followers. Social media users instantly started to lambast him for his inhuman activity, drawing comparisons between his hobby to his injury-plagued career.
'I bet he tore both ACLs'
Fans started to fire shots in the comment section of Wentz's post. "I bet he tore both ACLs trying to shoot that bear," one person commented. "I'm shocked the bear didn't intercept the bullet," another added. A different follower wrote, "I see he's able to target everything but an open receiver." "Maybe Nick Foles shot it and he just tried to take credit for it," another wrote, referring to the 30-year-old's 2017 season as a starter for the Eagles before he tore his ACL in Week 14 that year and subsequently paving the opportunity for Foles to fill in and defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII to win 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, however, impressed with Went'z brutal act, as he commented on his former teammate's post, "Holy s*** man! Need a taste of 'em."
What is Wentz doing now?
Wentz, who practiced his hobby in North Dakota, frequently boasts of his hunting on social media. He has hunted deer and turkey in the past and even shared some clips of his kills on his YouTube page. The quarterback told ESPN last week that he is looking forward to playing this year and is waiting for the 'right situation' despite being a free agent. As of now, he is throwing and studying with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden in Tampa, Florida, while he eyes a comeback to the league.
Who was Wentz playing with before?
Wentz, who was the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, 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. In just eight games last year, Wentz passed for 1,755 yards and 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He started the first six games of the season but after fracturing his finger, he was placed on injured reserve. He went 2-5 as the starter.
He has thrown for 22,129 yards and 151 TDs against 66 INTs in 93 career games and has a career record of 46-45-1 as a starting QB. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 with the Eagles.