With Matthew Stafford out of the trading bloc and on to the Rams, the eyes of QB-hungry general managers turned to another QB that might be available: Carson Wentz.
Sources say the teams have started calling the Eagles on their former titleholder Wentz, outlining a roadmap for a possible exchange as the teams approach the start of the league year.
The Eagles are in no hurry to negotiate with Wentz – and in fact intend him to return in 2021 under new coach Nick Sirianni – but they took the calls and discussed the matter. GM Howie Roseman will almost always listen, and this is no different.
Although Stafford went to the Rams (in principle) in exchange for two future choices in the first round, a third and Jared Goff, it is unclear what Wentz’s price would be. But it would have to be enough to make it worthwhile for the Eagles to exchange someone who would otherwise be an important factor in their initial QB conversation.
As for the teams interested in Wentz, the Colts are always connected to him out of necessity in QB and coach Frank Reich. They will call all available passersby in this off-season. There are others.
Wentz signed a four-year extension, $ 128 million in June 2019, and because of the way it is structured, a launch is almost impossible. But a deal before their $ 10 million list bonus expires on March 19 would give the Eagles a more manageable dead money charge of $ 33.8 million, while a new team would receive $ 25.4 million in salary – and a $ 98.4 million salary in four-year contract.
Wentz and his agents have not yet formally requested an exchange, according to sources, although it is clear that their relationship with the team has been tense over the past year and more communication will be needed to fix it. The team’s dismissal of Doug Pederson, who put Wentz in favor of Jalen Hurts this season, has not allayed Wentz’s concerns, the sources say.
With Stafford and Goff off the table, the supply of really available veteran QBs declined rapidly, perhaps increasing Wentz’s value. Regarding his quarterbacks recently, Sirianni said he has two “high level” QBs in Wentz and Hurts.
Asked whether Wentz will be on the list in 2021, Sirianni said, “I can’t answer that.”
Sirianni said this week in an interview with SportsRadio 94 WIP, in Philadelphia, that the team is planning an open competition in all positions, including the defender. This seems to indicate that it will be Wentz vs. Hurts on the training ground – if Wentz is still a member of the team.
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