PHILADELPHIA – From the multitude of questions about the Carson Wentz exchange to the tears streaming down Zach Ertz’s face, the Philadelphia Eagles’ media availability on Monday talked about the franchise change decisions facing team bosses in the coming weeks.
General manager Howie Roseman and coach Doug Pederson had positive tones when it came to Wentz, who is still planning to ask for an exchange in this off-season because his relationship with Pederson is fractured beyond repair, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
Roseman did not definitively rule out the possibility of negotiating with Wentz, saying, “We are not talking about this right now.” He emphasized that they showed how they feel about Wentz as a person and as a player by climbing to second overall in 2016 and then giving him a four-year extension and $ 128 million three years later.
“When you have players like that, they’re like fingers in your hands – you can’t even imagine that they’re not part of you, that they’re not here. said.
Wentz refused to speak to the media on Monday.
Pederson described his relationship with Wentz as “good” and “great” and “something we will continue to build on”.
“I know that Carson is disappointed. It is not the season he expected, it is not the season I expected as a head coach,” he said. “There were a lot of moving parts. It’s not a guy here. It takes all of us, and that’s something we emphasize a lot here. But at the same time, I was hired as the head coach, I was challenged as the head coach and personally I challenged myself getting things right, getting it right and ensuring that, as we move forward, we’re doing everything in the best interest of the team ”.
Wentz’s good friend and battery mate may also be on the move. Ertz was overwhelmed by emotion during his videoconference with reporters on Monday, when asked what his farewell message is if he moves in this off-season.
“I think this city is the best city to play in and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” he said as he wiped his tears. “The city means a lot to me, it means a lot to my family and I am grateful.”
Ertz, 30, led Philadelphia in both catches and receiving yards in each of the past four seasons before an atypical and injury-filled campaign in 2020. Contract extension negotiations failed last season and left Ertz questioning whether he was in the team’s long-term plans.
Long after Sunday night’s game against the Washington Football Team ended, Ertz, Wentz and center pivot Jason Kelce, who has been thinking about retiring in recent years, met for more than half an hour along the Eagles sideline at Lincoln Financial Field, perhaps feeling the change in question.
The Eagles are currently estimated at $ 73 million over the limit in 2021. There are several veteran players who are not expected to be back on the team. That includes wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive tackle Malik Jackson, who agreed to rework the contracts on Monday, ESPN sources said Jeremy Fowler, making it necessary for players to agree to a new deal for 2021 or be released in the year of new alloy in March.
The biggest decision is in the quarterback. The Eagles would absorb a hit of almost $ 35 million if they negotiated with Wentz, surpassing Brandin Cooks’ $ 21.8 million hit with Rams as the biggest in NFL history. This will be assessed in terms of what is best for the team in the long run and if bringing Wentz and Hurts back is a realistic scenario.
Asked if he would accept a quarterback competition in 2021, Hurts replied: “I am a competitor. I control what I can, I put my best foot forward in whatever situation I am in, to be the best quarterback I can be.”