How long until Eagles become Wentz's team?

For a top-of-market $6 million, the Eagles signed backup quarterback Chase Daniel to finish, at most, one game this season.

The Eagles would prefer if Daniel never played a game. It would imply that starter Sam Bradford was healthy for all 16 games. Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson would gladly throw away $6 million of insurance - Daniel is promised $12 million over the next two years - for that kind of guarantee.

But the Eagles are far from assured a full season from Bradford let alone a herculean feat that will compensate for the team's deficiencies and keep them competitive throughout. Fair odds - Vegas has the over-under on Eagles victories at 7 1/2 - suggest that they won't be playoff contenders.

Stranger teams have defied those odds, but even an optimist would look at the Eagles roster, neophyte head coach Doug Pederson and the potential for an awkward quarterback situation and project eight wins as a satisfying achievement.

Thursday night's 17-9 preseason victory over the Buccaneers did nothing to counter most prognoses, and further it illustrated the likelihood of two forces pulling the Eagles in opposite directions.

In one corner there is Bradford, a group of veteran players and coaches like defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz that want to put the best product on the field and win now. In the other, there is Carson Wentz, rebuilding and the limitless future.

This dichotomy is at the heart of the matter and had been theorized since Roseman traded up to draft Wentz with the second overall pick. But to see the rookie quarterback in action against Daniel, who pales in comparison, was to envision a near future with Wentz beginning his on-field education as soon as possible.

Wentz is not yet in Bradford's league. His 39 snaps against Tampa, while enthralling and exemplary of his talent, proved as much. But he's already surpassed Daniel, a career backup with 77 career pass attempts, who is here only because Pederson vouched for him.

Daniel was dealt a losing hand on Thursday night. The second unit offensive line was atrocious and overmatched against the Bucs' first team defense, but the 29-year old did almost zero to overcome the inefficiency.

It was less than one half in an otherwise meaningless game, but whatever realistic improvement Daniel can make over the next three preseason games is futile compared to the value of developing Wentz.

Daniel is standing in the way of progress. He will be the No. 2 quarterback and dress once the season begins - because who actually believes Pederson would demote his backup brethren - but that's as far as it will go.

Assuming Wentz isn't initially active - per Pederson's plans as of June - Daniel would finish if Bradford were to leave a game injured. It could cost the Eagles a win because, frankly, who would you entrust more to come out of the bullpen and emerge victorious? But if Bradford were to be sidelined for longer, Daniel would be relegated to third-string duty.

The Eagles, if they were looking out for the team's best interests, both short- and long-term, would have no other choice but to begin the Wentz Project and start him over Daniel. Ideally, they don't want to rush the rookie, and it's easy to see why.

He took three blows in the pocket, had the wind knocked out of him and nearly landed on his noggin - all in the span of about two quarters on Thursday. And that was against a bunch of defensive players who won't likely be on 53-man rosters in a month. Wentz is raw and hasn't yet come to close to mastering the art of protecting himself.

But Pederson would owe it to the franchise to move forward with the 23-year old, positive or negative, and there is sure to be plenty of negative as Wentz takes his lumps. And, again, as long as he's getting enough repetitions, he should give the Eagles a better shot at winning than Daniel.

"For a young quarterback, it was a tremendous opportunity to get the amount of snaps that he got," Pederson said after Wentz' 39 snaps. "I just look forward to next week."

Wentz's practice and playing time will decrease over the next two weeks, though, as Pederson ramps up Bradford for the regular season. It's likely Daniel will receive more reps as well. Wentz will get the lion's share before the preseason finale and play the bulk of that game. But if he is to remain the No. 3 he will spend the majority of regular-season practice time with the scout team.

In other words, Wentz won't be taking on-field repetitions in the Eagles' offense.

The Eagles signed Daniel, of course, before they moved up for Wentz. He signed a contract with millions in incentives based on his winning the starting job. But his base salary and bonus alone currently makes him the highest-paid backup in the NFL.

The Wentz pick made his presence on the team relatively useless. He's a team leader, and he'll help the quarterbacks learn Pederson's offense. But in trying to recreate the Andy Reid era, the Eagles didn't need two Pedersons to Wentz's McNabb.

And with Daniel virtually out of the picture the onus then shifts to Bradford. And how long can he hold off Wentz until the Eagles pull the cord? He has every incentive to win, but it's not like Roseman, who dealt multiple players and picks to move up for Wentz, built the team to win now.

There was a chorus of "We want Wentz!" chants at Lincoln Financial Field only two drives into Daniel's stint on Thursday night. How long before they kick in when Bradford struggles? The Eagles shouldn't be so impulsive, but there will likely come a time when there will be no other recourse.

"I really didn't hear it much," Wentz said of the catcalls, "but I just know the fans are excited, and I know it's going to be a heck of a ride here, and I'm looking forward to it."

It could be sooner rather than later.

jmclane@phillynews.com

@Jeff_McLane