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On Sunday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Carson Wentz “plans to ask for a trade in the offseason because his relationship with coach Doug Pederson is fractured beyond repair.”
On Monday, Wentz declined an opportunity to speak with reporters to clear to air.
On Tuesday, we have a new report from Rob Maadi of the Associated Press that claims Wentz hopes he can remain with the Eagles. Here’s the latest:
“A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday Carson Wentz needs time away to think about his future with the Philadelphia Eagles and is hopeful it won’t end in a divorce. [...] Wentz also hasn’t discussed his future with team officials yet, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it’s a private matter. The person said those conversations will take place when the time is right. [...] Wentz’s relationship with the organization is strained, according to another person close to the situation. It’ll take both sides coming together to make it work.”
NFL insider Mike Garafolo added some more color here:
I’ll say this: There are a lot of moving parts. Coaching staff, personnel, money, trade compensation... As I just said on @nflnetwork, I’m told the sides are expected to begin discussing the situation in earnest this week. Gonna take more than one session to figure it all out. https://t.co/10WvMX5eiF
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 5, 2021
Perhaps Wentz and the Eagles can get together and chart a path to move forward. But it’s hard to assume that will so easily be accomplished after reading the strong language in ESPN’s original report. Even the AP report admits that Wentz’s relationship with the Eagles is “strained.”
Based on what’s said here, it would seem Wentz’s hope about returning would be based on stipulations. Perhaps he has hope that the Eagles will move on from Pederson even though that doesn’t appear likely at this point? Or that he can get assurances to be the No. 1 quarterback without a competition in training camp? All just speculation on my part.
Perhaps Wentz takes time to think about his future and ultimately comes to the conclusion that ESPN reported in the first place: that he wants to be traded. The Eagles don’t necessarily need to oblige him, if that’s the case, and their public comments indicate they still believe in him and want him back.
But this is a messy situation and it remains to be seen if Wentz and the Eagles can get on the same page. His future in Philly is far from guaranteed.