The week that changed Carson Wentz's life

Carson Wentz checked his cellphone after an afternoon workout on April 20 and saw a text message that would change his life, determine the future home of his brother and sister-in-law, and alter the course of Eagles history.

Wentz's agent messaged him that the Eagles had traded for the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft. The former North Dakota State quarterback had an inkling that could mean he would play for the Eagles, but he was not positive. He still believed he might land with the Los Angeles Rams, who held the No. 1 pick and had just met with him hours earlier.

During a week in which Philadelphia prepared for Wentz's arrival, Wentz did not hear from the Eagles. That changed minutes after 8 p.m. Thursday, when Roseman called while the Eagles were on the clock.

Wentz waited a little more than 10 minutes in the green room of Chicago's Auditorium Theater before his phone rang.

"Carson. Howie Roseman, how we doing, bud?" Roseman said, as captured by the Eagles' website. "You ready to be an Eagle?"

"Yessir!" Wentz replied.

Roseman told Wentz that it's "going to be a lot of fun," and to enjoy the moment with his family.

But a few others wanted to speak with Wentz first. Owner Jeffrey Lurie, waiting next to Roseman, took the phone.

"Congratulations. You ready to join our Eagles family?" Lurie said. ". . . Long time leading up to this, I know you've been waiting, but we can't be more excited."

Wentz said he was ready to work. Lurie told Wentz that the team would keep the pick quiet until it was handed in to the league in Chicago, where assistant video director Kevin Dougherty and equipment assistant Craig Blake waited as the team representatives.

Then Lurie gave the phone to Doug Pederson. The new Eagles coach, who so wanted a young quarterback, noticed Wentz's equanimity during the conversation - especially for someone experiencing a life-changing moment.

"You seem like you're a little calm through all this," Pederson said.

"Gotta be," Wentz said.

Pederson, who has made a career studying and developing quarterbacks, appeared to like that answer.

"Feels terrific," Wentz said. "You guys sold me when I was there."

Pederson told Wentz the Eagles were thrilled to have him, and then found offensive coordinator Frank Reich in the crowded room.

Reich reminded Wentz about the quarterback's April 13 visit to Philadelphia. When Wentz finished his meeting with the coaching staff, he was told that the Eagles would love to take him.

"Make it happen," Wentz said that day.

"And we did," Reich said on the phone. "Mr. Lurie and Howie, they made it happen. So excited, so excited."

The final person to speak to Wentz was quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. He told Wentz the Eagles were eager to see him Friday and get him a playbook.

Soon after Wentz hung up, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called his name. Wentz was handed a green cap, and Goodell waited for a handshake and a photo opportunity with a green Eagles jersey. Jason Aldean's "Fly Over States" played on the auditorium's speakers. Wentz heard friends and North Dakota State fans shouting, with some Eagles cheers mixed in.

After spending time with his family, Wentz finished his interviews and promotional responsibilities. He had a few hours to sleep before a Friday morning flight to Philadelphia.

"Being in Chicago was really fun," Wentz said. "I got to interact with some of the local kids there, went to a [Play 60 event] and went to a middle school. Those were awesome. . . . Walking the red carpet, got in there, did the national anthem, sat down, and it was already on the clock. So that all happened so fast, it was really surreal, but it was an unbelievable moment that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Wentz arrived in Philadelphia at 2:10 p.m. Friday, with autograph seekers lingering at the airport. Whisked to a van outside the airport by vice president of team security Dom DiSandro, Wentz was booed by one fan who wanted him to stop and sign.

The staff and ownership group at the NovaCare Complex were more welcoming. Wentz ate his first cheesesteak, posed with his No. 11 jersey, and showed his brother and sister-in-law the Eagles facility that he will call his workplace. They will move with him from North Dakota.

Rookie camp is two weeks away. That's when Wentz's offseason program begins in earnest. He spent four months preparing for the draft and 24 hours in the afterglow of the selection. On Saturday, Wentz finally had a day for himself.

"Hopefully I get a little more sleep," Wentz said. "I don't know. It's really setting in. The morning of the draft, I woke up. I couldn't really sleep. It's like, 'Today's the day. Today's the day my life is changing forever.' Then this morning, waking up, I'm like: 'I'm a Philadelphia Eagle.' I dreamed of making it to this level. And now, tomorrow, it's like, 'Let's go to work.' It's on to the next chapter. Turn the page. Let's go."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm