6 Wentz trade destinations if Eagles move on
Carson Wentz, the face of the Eagles' franchise since 2016, has officially been benched for rookie Jalen Hurts. It's a nightmare scenario for the organization, and now the Eagles' front office has to figure out what to do with Wentz. Do they believe he can be fixed? Are they totally done with him as a player?If Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman decide they're ready for a clean break from Wentz, it'll be a tough pill to swallow financially. Wentz's four-year, $128 million extension technically hasn't even kicked in yet, making him an onerous asset.But trading Wentz is smarter than cutting him, if the Eagles want to move on this offseason. If the Eagles trade him before the third day of the 2021 league year, they're stuck with a little more than $33 million in dead cap, per Over The Cap. It's not great, but you're able to avoid much greater costs down the line.So... who exactly would trade for Wentz? Once considered an MVP candidate, he's looked lost this season, though his supporting cast on the offensive line and at the skill positions has left much to be desired, as has Doug Pederson's play-calling. Last offseason Nick Foles fetched a fourth-round pick despite being benched for Gardner Minshew. Wentz could probably bring back a third-round pick from an interested team.Here are six teams I think could be at least intrigued by an available Wentz:
We'll start with the most obvious fit. Every Wentz trade discussion begins with Indianapolis, for a slew of reasons.
Wentz had his best year as a professional when current Colts head coach Frank Reich was helping scheme up the Eagles' offense as the team's offensive coordinator. The Colts are ostensibly in win-now mode because of a superb defense and great talent development on offense, but Philip Rivers is not a long-term answer at quarterback, and Rivers is a free agent this offseason.
The on-the-field fit is perfect: Indy's defense being excellent, a talented young running back duo of Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, and an offensive line featuring one of the best young talents in the league in Quenton Nelson, means Wentz wouldn't have to be a Pro Bowler to power the Colts to the playoffs, just a game manager with a handful of good plays each game.
If the Eagles want to move on from Wentz, they need to call Reich as soon as the season ends - maybe even sooner.
You have to admit, Wentz following Nick Foles' career trajectory and landing in Jacksonville would be hilarious.
Jacksonville has no answer at quarterback right now. (It has now answer anywhere, really.) There was a glimmer in Week 13 where it seemd the Jags might back into the No. 1 draft pick via a poorly-timed Jets victory, but that fell apart. If the Jets lose out, Jacksonville will have the No. 2 overall pick in an NFL Draft that seems to have two main quarterback options, so Wentz being an option for the Jags may seem a little odd.
But what if Jacksonville isn't sold on Justin Fields? Trevor Lawrence is considered a no-doubt home run of a first overall pick. Fields is considered the clear No. 2 QB, but not on the same level of Lawrence. Striking out on a No. 2 overall pick can set a franchise back considerably. If the Jags aren't in love with the Ohio State passer and owner Shahid Khan would like to win some games next year when fans (hopefully) return to stadiums, Wentz would likely get that job done.
Speaking of Nick Foles, let's just have another straight up competition between Wentz and the Super Bowl LII star.
Chicago isn't going to have a boatload of cap space next year, but they can restructure and reshape. Mitch Trubisky has proven time and time again that he is not a good quarterback, the most recent example coming in Week 10, when he fumbled away the Bears' lead against the Lions. Foles will be 32 before next season starts, and he's shown that outside of Philadelphia, he simply isn't a reliable starting quarterback.
So why not bring Wentz in, maybe try to restructure his deal to make it team-friendly, and let him compete for a starting job in a new environment? The weapons in Chicago aren't any better than they are in Philadelphia, but Chicago would have a full offseason to draft and sign players they think could help Wentz succeed. And if we know one thing about Wentz, it's that he loves throwing to a tight end. Jimmy Graham would have a career year.
I think New England might quietly be a very workable solution to the Eagles' Wentz problem. The Patriots have underperformed this year with Cam Newton, and they've committed time to Jarrett Stidham's development, but his lack of meaningful playing time says everything you need to know about Bill Belichick's evaluation of the QB, who turns 25 before next season begins.
New England is slated to have more than $67 million in cap space next year, and Belichick doesn't strike me as someone keen on watching back-to-back seasons go to waste.
Prior to this mistake-riddled season, Wentz's aversion to throwing interceptions would've been a great fit for Belichick's system, which was predicated for nearly two decades with Tom Brady on avoiding mistakes. (The fumble problem is something else.) There's absolutely a chance that Belichick sees Wentz as a usable game manager with a high ceiling who's been hamstrung by organizational failures, and decides to take a shot on Wentz.
And with a Belichick-coached defense, plus bonus cap space to find a few intriguing playmakers, it just might work.
Did you know that Jimmy Garoppolo is more than a year older than Carson Wentz? That's pretty wild. Garoppolo has started just 32 games across his seven-year NFL career, and though he was along for the 49ers' Super Bowl run in 2019, he certainly wasn't the catalyst.
With better health next year, the defense should be able to return to its stellar 2019 form, or at least somewhere close. Does Kyle Shanahan view Garoppolo as someone who can get San Fran over the hump if they go on another playoff run - or as the guy who will hold them back? I think it's more the latter.
Garoppolo just isn't a special quarterback, and with a chance to move on from him after this season because of a smart contract, don't be surprised to see San Francisco jump at the opportunity to part ways. Wentz would give Shanahan a player with a more explosive ceiling, who would pair perfectly with franchise cornerstone George Kittle, and might be just - just! - good enough to put together a special season.
Sending any player to the Lions feels a little mean, because that organization has no discernable direction. And this idea is contingent on a pretty big decision for the Lions franchise, and for one veteran QB.
But after parting ways with head coach Matt Patricia this season, and with 33-year-old Matthew Stafford maybe looking to finally head elsewhere in search of a chance to win a Super Bowl before his career ends, there could be a chance for a clean slate in Detroit. New head coach, new quarterback, new era.
Wentz would give the Lions, who won't finish with a bad enough record for a shot at one of the top quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, a household name for fans to be relatively excited about. Trading Stafford as a post-6/1 trade would save the Lions $20 million against the 2021 cap, if Detroit could find a partner amenable to their franchise QB's aspirations (hello, Indianapolis) and would help the Lions afford bringing in Wentz, who could also restructure his deal.
Wentz would be reunited with Chase Daniel, his rookie year mentor, and would have intriguing young weapons like T.J. Hockenson and D'Andrew Swift.
