Carson Wentz

Latest On Carson Wentz, Bears Front Runners?

February 16th, 2021 at 4:21pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

What we heard right before the Super Bowl made it sound like a Carson Wentz trade was imminent, but here on February 16th Wentz is still a member of the Eagles. In a recent piece, Albert Breer of SI.com broke down a few of the reasons why things are lagging.

For starters, Breer writes that Philly’s steep asking price caused several potentially interested teams to “drop out of the running altogether.” In addition to his poor play last year, Breer also notes that a “less-talked-about problem is the growing reputation Wentz has of not reacting well to hard coaching.” Stuff like that has been hinted at the past couple years, but it sounds like it’s a full-blown issue at this point.

In an interview with Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports, Breer added that he believes the Bears are the “front runner” as of the beginning of this week. “It’s pretty clear at this point the Bears have pushed harder than the Colts to get Carson Wentz. The Eagles are probably going to get their best return for Carson Wentz from Chicago,” Breer said.

Breer writes that he doesn’t think the Eagles will get a first-round pick, unless there are compounding factors like salary dumps or other picks going back to the trade partner. Both Indy and Chicago’s staffs have ties to Wentz, and the Bears just recently promoted his former quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.

In recent days we’ve heard that both the Broncos and Patriots aren’t interested in Wentz, and there aren’t really any known suitors other than the Colts or Bears.

Broncos Plan To Pursue Deshaun Watson, Not In Carson Wentz Mix

February 15th, 2021 at 4:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans continue to insist Deshaun Watson is unavailable, but the three-time Pro Bowler has dug in on his plan to leave Houston after four seasons. If the Texans make him available, several teams will certainly push to acquire him.

The Broncos can be counted as a team that will pursue Watson if he becomes available, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Amid this potentially historic offseason of quarterback movement, Denver does not plan to make a move for Carson Wentz, Renck adds. The Broncos were loosely connected to the Eagles passer last week, but thus far, only the Bears and Colts have been mentioned as surefire Wentz suitors.

Having started nine quarterbacks since Peyton Manning‘s 2016 retirement, the Broncos certainly make sense as a Watson bidder. They would join the Panthers and 49ers in that regard, with the Dolphins, Jets and others likely set to enter the fray as well. The Broncos exchanged offers with the Lions for Matthew Stafford but were not mentioned as one of the teams willing to part with a first-round pick. Would the Broncos make a real push for Watson, it would require perhaps three first-rounders.

With the Broncos not among the teams that have two first-round picks this year, a Watson pursuit could require the team going into its 2023 draft haul — or gutting its 2021 and ’22 drafts and parting with young players — and do so shortly after hiring a new GM (George Paton). Paton was reluctant to part with young assets for Stafford, though trading for a 33-year-old one-time Pro Bowler and 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler are certainly different conversations.

Watson has the Broncos on his list of preferred destinations, with Denver safety (and ex-Watson Houston teammate) Kareem Jackson pitching the franchise to him on multiple occasions. That list, though, may feature the Dolphins and 49ers residing ahead of the Broncos. Miami and San Francisco have coaches nowhere near the hot seat; Vic Fangio is certainly there or close to it in Denver. A Fangio firing would likely mean OC Pat Shurmur exits as well. While Kyle Shanahan‘s standing as the 49ers’ play-caller is rock-solid, the Dolphins have featured instability here under Brian Flores. After having two offensive coordinators in Flores’ two seasons, the team now has a co-OC setup (George Godsey and ex-Broncos assistant Eric Studesville).

The Broncos have long been expected to add a veteran to compete with inconsistent incumbent Drew Lock. Watson or Wentz going to Denver would mean a Lock demotion. While Lock presently sits atop Denver’s depth chart, the franchise being consistently connected to QBs could change that standing soon.

No First-Round Picks Offered For Carson Wentz

February 13th, 2021 at 6:39pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s unlikely that the Eagles have been offered a first-round pick for Carson Wentz, according league sources who spoke with to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. That goes for “this year” or any year “in the future,” Bowen says, which means that the Birds may have to settle for far less than they wanted.

The Lions fetched two future first-rounders and a third-rounder for Matthew Stafford, but it’s hardly an apples-to-apples comparison. To get that package, the Lions agreed to take on Jared Goff‘s whopper of a contract. Meanwhile, Wentz has an outsized deal of his own. Wentz, 28, is signed through 2024 with $47.2MM guaranteed through the 2022 season.

The Colts and the Bears have been linked to Wentz. In theory, teams that missed out on Stafford like the Broncos, Panthers, and 49ers could get in the mix. The Patriots were also one-time Stafford suitors, but they’re not interested in the former No. 2 overall pick.

The Eagles claim that they want to move forward with Wentz, but, by all accounts, he still wants out. It may behoove Howie Roseman to make a deal sooner rather than later. If Wentz is on the roster by the third day of the league year in March, the Eagles will owe him a $10MM signing bonus. They can escape that obligation by dealing him beforehand, though they’ll still be on the hook for $33.8MM in dead cap charges.

Broncos On Radar For Carson Wentz?

February 13th, 2021 at 2:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Involved in the Matthew Stafford trade talks and rumored to be on Deshaun Watson‘s destination list, the Broncos may also soon be linked to quarterbacks with their No. 9 overall pick. They may also be on the radar for another high-profile passer, in what has become an increasingly complex offseason at this position.

The Broncos are a team to monitor for Carson Wentz, Adam Caplan of InsidetheBirds.com notes. The Eagles have been connected to a Wentz deal for over a week now, but teams have clearly not met their asking price. Philadelphia initially sought a Stafford-type haul for Wentz. It does not appear teams are obliging.

Thus far, the Colts and Bears have been mentioned as the leading Wentz suitors. But other teams have discussed the former MVP candidate with the Eagles. While it is unclear if the Broncos are one of them, the team has a new GM (George Paton) and has toiled in quarterback uncertainty since Peyton Manning‘s 2016 retirement. Wentz (11th in QBR in 2019) would stand to provide an upgrade on Drew Lock, but the former No. 2 overall pick regressed considerably in 2020 and has $47.2MM guaranteed left on his deal through the 2022 season. Both factors have surely contributed to Wentz’s market not taking off like Stafford’s did.

It would make sense for the Broncos to see how the Watson saga plays out before making a move for another veteran, but the Texans have not shown any indication they will trade their franchise quarterback. This would force other teams to move to lower-cost solutions, and Wentz is fully expected to be moved before he collects a $10MM bonus on March 19.

Patriots Not Interested In Carson Wentz?

February 10th, 2021 at 6:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to the Rams landing Matthew Stafford, the Patriots explored a deal for the 13th-year quarterback. Such efforts may not apply to all of this year’s starter-caliber passers on the trade market.

The Patriots are not believed to be a serious suitor for Carson Wentz, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (subscription required). While Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers has amplified the Pats’ issue at quarterback, they appear uninterested in competing for Wentz.

The Bears and Colts are viewed as the top teams in play for Wentz, for whom the Eagles are seeking a Stafford-type trade haul. Other teams have discussed Wentz with the Eagles as well. Not much has emerged on the Wentz front in the past few days, pointing to teams not reaching the Eagles’ asking price. Philadelphia is tentatively expected to collect a first-round pick for the 28-year-old passer, but nearly a week after rumors emerged the five-year veteran was on the market, he remains an Eagle. The Patriots hold pick No. 15 overall.

A low-cost flier on Cam Newton did not work out for the Pats, who are prepared to try someone else in an effort to replace Brady. The Patriots were interested in Marcus Mariota last year; the Raiders may be willing to trade their backup. And longtime New England QB2 Jimmy Garoppolo‘s status is not certain in San Francisco, with the 49ers in on the Stafford sweepstakes as well.

The Pats passed on the likes of Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston last year, waiting until late June to add Newton. Total QBR slotted Newton 30th last season. Wentz came in at 28th, though he ranked 11th in this metric in 2019 and first in 2017 — prior to his season-ending knee injury.

Latest On Eagles, Carson Wentz

February 9th, 2021 at 8:49am CST by Zachary Links

Before the Super Bowl, we heard that a Carson Wentz trade could be imminent. However, the Eagles are not close to completing a deal with any of the interested teams at this time, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).

The Bears and Colts are among the teams eyeing No. 11, but the other clubs involved remain a mystery. It’s believed that the other teams that missed out on new Rams starter Matthew Stafford could entertain Wentz — that list includes the Broncos, Panthers, and 49ers. Of course, the Panthers and Broncos would prefer a deal for Deshaun Watson, if they can work the Texans down to a reasonable ask. One of those two players will likely be the next domino to fall in the QB carousel.

The Colts, who just lost Philip Rivers to retirement, would be a logical fit for Wentz. Wentz, meanwhile, wouldn’t mind reuniting with former mentor Frank Reich.

Publicly, the Eagles have said that they’d like to move forward with Wentz, but the North Dakota State product still wants out. Any team taking him on would also be taking on his sizable contract, which runs through 2024. However, there’s an escape hatch after the 2022 season, which helps somewhat. In any case, the Eagles won’t be able to match the Stafford package of two first-round selections and a third-rounder. Stafford, at this point, has more appeal, and the Lions took on Jared Goff‘s hefty contract in order score all of that draft capital.

Bears, Colts Pursuing Carson Wentz; Trade Expected Soon

February 6th, 2021 at 2:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Carson Wentz is expected to have a new team soon. The disgruntled Eagles quarterback is on track to be traded within the next few days, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com report.

The Eagles are looking for a Matthew Stafford-type trade package, per the ESPN.com duo, who add the Bears and Colts have expressed interest in the five-year veteran. Other teams have inquired about Wentz as well; a trade has been brewing for a few days now.

It is not known what other teams have inquired here. Despite heading into his 13th season, Stafford brought a host of teams to the table. The Bears, Broncos, Colts, Panthers, Patriots, 49ers and Washington were in the mix for the new Rams starter. Of these teams, the Panthers and Broncos have been connected to Deshaun Watson. Wentz could prompt offers from some of these teams, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets this market may not be as fierce.

The Stafford deal did well to accelerate Wentz dialogue around the league, per Schefter and Mortensen, who add that some around the league believe a Wentz trade could lay the foundation for more QB swaps — such as a Sam Darnold deal. Several passers have been loosely linked to trades in what has become one of the hottest QB trade markets in many years.

Wentz’s 2020 performance and injury history will certainly dissuade teams from putting together a Stafford-type package, though Fowler notes the Eagles are expected to collect a first-round pick for Wentz. The North Dakota State product was dominant in 2017 (first in Total QBR prior to a December 2017 knee injury) and played well despite a decimated receiving corps in 2019.

The Colts certainly add up as a logical destination, having seen Philip Rivers retire. Frank Reich served as Wentz’s OC in Philly for two seasons, and Wentz ally Press Taylor is expected to join Indianapolis’ staff. The Bears, however, have ex-Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo on staff. The Colts are projected to hold the second-most cap space, while the Bears are much lower on this list. Chicago will need to make moves to get under the cap, though the franchise has been in need at quarterback for far longer than Indianapolis.

The Eagles continue to insist they would be happy to keep Wentz, per ESPN, but he has not backed down from his desire to leave Philadelphia. The 28-year-old passer’s contract runs through 2024, though an acquiring team could get out of the contract after the 2022 season. Wentz is owed $47.2MM guaranteed through the ’22 season. However, none of his cap hits through 2024 would exceed $27MM, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

It would be the Eagles eating a sizable chunk of the former MVP candidate’s money. Philly would take on an NFL-record (by a considerable margin) $33.8MM in dead cap charges by trading Wentz. Any deal will certainly occur before the third day of the 2021 league year, when Wentz is due a $10MM roster bonus.

The Eagles have the No. 6 overall pick and appear set to have at least one other Round 1 selection and/or a Day 2 pick in this year’s draft, were they to seek an immediate upgrade on Jalen Hurts. The Eagles’ HC interviews centered around a coach who could revitalize Wentz, and a recent coaching staff meeting produced a consensus that Wentz could regain his Pro Bowl form in Philly, per Schefter and Mortensen. But it appears the Nick Sirianni hire will still precede a major quarterback change in Philadelphia.

Eagles Moving Toward Carson Wentz Trade?

February 5th, 2021 at 6:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another big quarterback domino could be falling soon. Eagles-Carson Wentz news continues to move, and multiple NFL sources informed Les Bowen and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the team is close to trading the quarterback.

The Eagles have been taking calls on Wentz, who remains unhappy with the organization. The hiring of Nick Sirianni as head coach did not change the dynamic to the point the quarterback would want to stay in Philly, according to Bowen and McLane.

While the Eagles would incur a record $33.8MM in dead money (for a single contract) if they traded Wentz, the acquiring team would not be put in that sort of financially disadvantageous position. Although Wentz’s value has nosedived after a rough 2020 season, a team that trades for him would have him under contract for $47.2MM guaranteed over the next two seasons before making a choice on moving forward with him. Wentz, 28, is signed through the 2024 season.

The Eagles owe Wentz a $10MM roster bonus on Day 3 of the 2021 league year. If a trade were to happen, it would be best for the organization for it to occur before that date. Offers have already come in for the five-year veteran.

Colts GM Chris Ballard said the franchise was looking into “lots of options” at quarterback. The Colts are projected to have the second-most cap space in the league — more than $60MM — and saw Philip Rivers retire recently. Jacoby Brissett is a free agent. Wentz has ties to ex-Eagles OC Frank Reich and remains close with Press Taylor, a longtime Philly assistant whom the Colts intend to hire.

The Bears, Panthers, 49ers, Broncos, Patriots and Washington were also involved in the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes. Chicago, which interestingly has ex-Wentz backup-turned-Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles under contract for 2021, has former Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo on staff. Though the Eagles do have a QB trade history with Washington, having sent Donovan McNabb to their NFC East rivals in 2010, Wentz-to-D.C. is probably a non-starter.

Were the Eagles to move Wentz to one of the non-NFC East quarterback-seeking teams, they have Jalen Hurts under contract through 2023 and would have the No. 6 overall pick and likely more high draft capital to pursue another passer if so inclined.

Carson Wentz Still Seeking Trade

February 5th, 2021 at 3:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles’ hiring of Frank Reich disciple Nick Sirianni does not seem to have changed Carson Wentz‘s stance about wanting a trade out of Philadelphia. While Eagles brass made working with Wentz a priority during the franchise’s coaching search, trade chatter surrounding the former No. 2 overall pick has reignited since the Matthew Stafford deal.

This recent trade buzz is connected to Wentz still wanting to leave Philadelphia, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter said during an appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic. Doug Pederson‘s firing was previously said to “significantly increase” the chances Wentz stayed in Philly, but the trade request the five-year veteran planned to submit appears to still be his preference.

It would cost the Eagles $34MM to trade Wentz — compared to the record $22MM it cost the Rams to ship out Jared Goff in the Stafford deal — but the team has fielded calls. They have already received “aggressive” offers for the unhappy quarterback, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports. Despite Wentz being tied to a lucrative contract and coming off his worst season, the Eagles are still aiming for substantial compensation, per McManus.

The Lions used Goff’s high-end contract to leverage the Rams into surrendering two first-round picks. With the Eagles not as close to a Super Bowl as the Rams at present, the parameters of a Wentz trade would seemingly be different than the ones that led to Goff’s Los Angeles exit.

Wentz joins Deshaun Watson among passers seeking trades entering the 2021 league year, and the former would not fetch a haul in the same vicinity as the latter. Having Reich as their head coach and having recently hired ex-Eagles passing-game coordinator Press Taylor, the Colts line up as the team that would make perhaps the most sense for Wentz — if he is made available.

Colts GM Chris Ballard said Friday, during a radio interview with 107.5 The Fan’s Dan Dakich, the Colts are “exploring lots of options” at quarterback (Twitter link). It appears safe to expect the Colts to discuss Wentz with the Eagles, but it is uncertain what kind of offer Philly can expect. The Colts traded their first-round pick last year for DeForest Buckner but fit the profile as a suitor due to their playoff-caliber roster with a gaping hole at quarterback. With Philip Rivers retiring and Jacoby Brissett not on their 2021 payroll, the Colts also are projected to have the second-most cap space entering the 2021 league year

Eagles Discuss Carson Wentz Trades

February 4th, 2021 at 9:42am CST by Zachary Links

Teams have begun calling the Eagles to discuss Carson Wentz, sources tell Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. And, while the Eagles aren’t in a rush to trade the quarterback, they’re not hanging up the phone either.

The Matthew Stafford trade seems to have sparked interest in Wentz, who profiles as an interesting reclamation project for teams in need under center. The Eagles might not be eager to move Wentz — ditto for new head coach Nick Sirianni — but GM Howie Roseman has never been shy about engaging in trade talks.

Of course, Wentz’s contract would be a barrier to any deal. Moving Wentz before the third day of the league year in March would result in a dead cap charge of roughly $34MM. Dropping him isn’t an option either — releasing Wentz would leave a dead cap hit of about $60MM. Even if it’s spread out over two years as a post-June 1 cut, that’s a charge the Eagles don’t want to pay.

Stafford fetched the Lions two first-round picks and a third-rounder, but the Eagles wouldn’t be able to get nearly as much for Wentz. Stafford, at this point, is the more appealing QB, and the Lions also agreed to take on Jared Goff‘s outsized contract to score that haul.

The Colts, who just lost Philip Rivers to retirement, would be a logical fit for Wentz. From Wentz’s perspective, he probably wouldn’t mind reuniting with former mentor Frank Reich. Still, Wentz’s camp has yet to formally request a trade, which means that the two sides could find a way to mend fences and move forward together.

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