Report: Eagles fielding Carson Wentz trade calls

Another day, another rumbling about Carson Wentz’s future (or lack thereof) with the Philadelphia Eagles.

On Wednesday, NFL insider Adam Schefter said Wentz “wants to leave” Philly and he’d guess that Wentz will be traded this offseason.

Now we have NFL insider Ian Rapoport reporting that the Eagles are fielding trade inquiries that are coming in about Wentz.

With Matthew Stafford off the trade block and headed to the Rams, the eyes of QB-hungry general managers have turned to another QB who could be available: Carson Wentz.

Sources say that teams have begun calling the Eagles on their former starter Wentz, plotting a roadmap for a potential trade as teams get closer to the start of the league year.

The Eagles are not in a hurry to trade Wentz — and in fact as of now intend for him to return for 2021 under new coach Nick Sirianni — but they did field the calls and discussed the issue. GM Howie Roseman will almost always listen, and this is no different.

While Stafford went to the Rams (in principle) in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-rounder and Jared Goff, it’s unclear what the price would be for Wentz. But it would have to be enough to make it worth it for the Eagles to trade someone who would otherwise factor heavily into their starting QB conversation.

As for teams interested in Wentz, the Colts are always linked to him because of their need at QB and because of coach Frank Reich. They will call on all the available passers this offseason. There are others.

Rapoport adds that Wentz and his camp haven’t “formally” requested a trade but the quarterback’s relationship with the Eagles is indeed “strained” and Doug Pederson’s firing “did not quell all of Wentz’s concerns.” Just more indication that Wentz isn’t happy with his current situation in Philly.

While some might try to downplay this report by citing Rapoport’s line about how “this is no different” from Roseman fielding calls about any player, it would be naive to think there isn’t a real chance that Wentz gets moved. There’s been a lot of buzz about the possibility ever since he was benched for Jalen Hurts and it’s only growing louder. One might suggest that the Eagles are leaking the fact that they’ve taken calls in order to try to create a more competitive market for Wentz’s services.

On that note, it doesn’t seem like the Eagles are willing to dump Wentz at whatever they can get for him. It does seem like they’re hoping a good offer comes along so they can move on. Honestly, a change of scenery is probably what’s best for both sides at this point.

As for where Wentz might land, the Indianapolis Colts are mentioned here and also in a recent report from Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan:

But the feeling from some high-ranking NFL personnel sources who have spoken to Inside The Birds’ Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher recently is that the Eagles will eventually wind up moving Wentz despite the massive cap hit that comes from the four-year extension Wentz signed in 2019.

Wentz has a $10m fully guaranteed roster bonus due on the third day of free agency (3/19). So it’s logical to think that if the Eagles wind up trading Wentz, they’ll do so before the $10m becomes due.

Multiple league sources, including a high-ranking executive from a team that attempted to trade for Matthew Stafford and a high-ranking executive from a team with an entrenched quarterback, told ITB that they believe the Colts are the most logical landing spot for Wentz.

While I don’t doubt Wentz’s interest in reuniting with Reich (and newly hired Colts assistant Press Taylor), questions have been raised about if the feeling is mutual. Based on what I’ve heard, I don’t know that it’s a foregone conclusion that Reich wants Wentz.

Still, there are other teams in need of a new quarterback. The teams other than the Colts that were reportedly interested in Stafford but lost out to the Rams include: the Carolina Panthers, the Washington Football Team, the Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers, the New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears, and the New York Jets. One would imagine some of those teams have also called about Wentz.

There is thought that the Eagles shouldn’t trade Wentz and should instead try to rehabilitate him back to form. Maybe that possibility exists under new head coach Nick Sirianni. It’s hard to feel fully confident in that happening, though, without the indication that Wentz is fully buying in to getting better and not just on his terms. It feels untenable to have a franchise quarterback who doesn’t even want to be on the team.

The Eagles just might be best off taking what they can get for Wentz (assuming it’s substantial enough) prior to his 2022 roster bonus kicking in. The team could then move forward with Hurts and potentially a first-round quarterback selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Going to be very interesting to see what happens.