Carson Wentz - Pro Football Rumors

Eagles Trade Carson Wentz To Colts

February 18th, 2021 at 10:46am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the Colts, according to Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal will send a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick to Philadelphia. That conditional choice could turn into a first-round selection if Wentz plays 75% of the snaps or 70% with a playoff appearance (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).

Not long ago, Wentz was a legitimate MVP candidate. Things took a sharp turn in the Eagles’ Super Bowl season when Wentz’s injury gave way to the rise of Nick Foles. When Wentz, he wasn’t the same. Neither was the relationship between him and Doug Pederson. Now, they’re both out of Philadelphia.

Wentz will now try to fill the void left by Philip Rivers‘ retirement. Meanwhile, the Eagles are now poised to turn things over to Jalen Hurts, Wentz’s younger and more athletic counterpart.

There were other suitors for Wentz, but the Colts have long been linked to the former No. 2 overall pick. Three former Eagles coaches — Frank Reich, Mike Groh, and Press Taylor — are on the Colts’ staff, giving Wentz instant familiarity with the offense. The Bears, who have one-time Wentz QB coach John DeFilippo on the staff, were also said to be in the mix. Ditto for the Broncos, though they were lukewarm on him. The Broncos will now try to piece together an even bigger package for someone like Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson. If they can’t land a top-tier QB, they’ll reportedly stay the course with Drew Lock.

Wentz’s injuries and apparent decline hurt his stock, but his contract was also a limiting factor. On the plus side, his cap number will be tamped down to ~$25MM for Indy, due to guarantees that will remain on the Birds’ books.

The Colts will now have Wentz under contract through 2024. His deal calls for a $25.4MM cap hit this year, with $15.4MM guaranteed and a $10MM roster bonus. In 2022, they’ll have him at a $22MM salary/cap hit, with $15MM locked in. After that, the guarantees dissipate, giving the Colts an escape hatch should things go awry.

With the Wentz deal, there are now zero first-round QBs from the 2009-2016 drafts with their original teams, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The deal also marks the trades of the 2016 draft’s No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks, inside of three weeks. Jared Goff — once a rising star in Los Angeles — was shipped to the Lions for Matthew Stafford just days ago.

Broncos Not Interested In Carson Wentz

February 18th, 2021 at 10:12am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos aren’t all that interested in Carson Wentz, as James Palmer of NFL.com tweets. The Broncos have been linked to the Eagles QB, but they’re mostly targeting the top tier options on the market, rather than signal callers like Wentz.

That top tier includes Deshaun Watson, if the Texans are willing to move him. Ditto for Russell Wilson, though it’s not quite clear if the Seahawks will seriously entertain offers. The Broncos pursued Matthew Stafford earlier this offseason, before he was shipped to the Rams, an indication that they saw Stafford as a potential upgrade to Drew Lock. In the case of Wentz, they are not so sure.

Lock didn’t have a banner year in 2020, throwing 15 interceptions in 13 games. However, he did finish strong in the final quarter of the regular season, posting seven touchdowns against just two interceptions. Denver’s top decision makers believe that Lock could build on that, making him a better option in 2021 than the former No. 2 overall pick.

Meanwhile, Watson has the Broncos on his list of preferred destinations, which would make Kareem Jackson very happy. Still, the Dolphins and 49ers are said to be even higher on Watson’s list. Ultimately, this could all lead the Broncos to stick with Lock and put their resources elsewhere in March.

Eagles, Colts Still Discussing Carson Wentz

February 17th, 2021 at 9:16am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears may have a slight lead in the Carson Wentz pursuit, which could be a two-horse race. But the Colts are not bowing out of this process. They continue to engage in dialogue with the Eagles on a trade for the disgruntled quarterback, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets.

Wentz is believed to prefer the Colts as a destination, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). But the Bears have Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace on hot seats going into their fourth year together. That may bring out a better offer compared to what the Colts are proposing.

The Colts, however, are not budging on their offer, with Keefer adding the Indy-Philly talks have not included a major compensation upgrade. It is not believed a first-round pick has yet emerged in a Wentz proposal.

Three ex-Eagles coaches on their offensive staff — Frank Reich, Mike Groh, Press Taylor — reside on the Colts’ staff, while the Bears have former Wentz position coach John DeFilippo in place as their quarterbacks coach. Chicago also recently promoted DeFilippo to passing-game coordinator.

Wentz has $47MM guaranteed going to him over the next two seasons, but the Eagles extending him at $32MM per year through the 2024 season, the quarterback would not carry a cap figure north of $27MM after he’s traded.

The Eagles were seeking a Matthew Stafford-type trade haul for Wentz, who has shown immense promise but is coming off his worst season. With these talks dragging on, it is clear Philly has not received such an offer for the former No. 2 overall pick. The Broncos and Patriots are not believed to be interested in Wentz, with SI.com’s Albert Breer noting the Stafford-type haul request prompted multiple teams to withdraw from this pursuit from the start. But the Colts and Bears appear to still be in it. One of them could have a new starting quarterback soon.

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.