Report: Carson Wentz expected to request trade from Eagles due to “fractured” relationship

If Carson Wentz has his druthers, he won’t be returning to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.

At least, that’s what the latest report from Chris Mortensen suggests. The veteran NFL insider had the following to say during a televised ESPN segment on Sunday morning:

“Carson Wentz, his relationship with the Eagles is all but fractured. In fact, it is fractured. Wentz is expected to ask the Eagles for a trade. He’ll help the Eagles to facilitate a trade. The reaction of Jeffrey Lurie will be vital to this one. But Wentz clearly wants out of Philadelphia and a fresh start somehow else. That will be a big story in the offseason.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported Wentz wanted to “move on” if the Eagles continued to start Jalen Hurts at quarterback, which they have been doing.

It’s important to note that Wentz doesn’t have a ton of leverage to force his way out of Philly. If the Eagles want to keep him, he either has to play for them or sit out and lose a lot of money.

Do the Eagles really want to keep a high-priced malcontent quarterback around? Perhaps they do if they truly believe he “can be repaired.”

But maybe Wentz’s reported willingness to help facilitate a trade out of Philly will help the Eagles decide to move on from him. $15 million of Wentz’s 2022 salary becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2021 league year so the Eagles have a short window to execute a trade (unless Wentz is willing to push back that date to give the Eagles more time).

Needless to say, it’ll be very interesting to see what becomes of Wentz this offseason. If Doug Pederson is truly expected back in 2021, as has been reported, it’s hard to envision Wentz also being back. That relationship just doesn’t seem conducive to success moving forward.

The Eagles have some very big decisions to make this offseason and none bigger than what they do at quarterback.

UPDATE: On the Wentz trade front, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also had the following to say:

“My understanding is that Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, if he is indeed on the block and traded, would prefer Indy [Indianapolis Colts] over several other places. He might be involved in this process going forward through the [offseason].

No surprise here given the obvious Frank Reich connection.