According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, a Indianapolis Colts would prefer ‘more than a two-year flight’ to a ‘full wedding’ with former Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback Carson Wentz– it must be acquired in a negotiation:
“Both the Colts and the Bears are interested, but there are obstacles for both,” writes Breer.
“My feeling is that Indy would like this to last for two more years than a full marriage to Wentz, and it’s important to remember that the Colts didn’t put the first round on Stafford’s table – which shows the kind of discipline with which GM Chris Ballard is operating. As for Chicago, mortgaging future assets can be difficult for the property, as the head of the football team will be struggling to keep jobs this year. ”
“I also think that the experience that coaches in both places (Frank Reich at Indy, John DeFilippo in Chicago) have with Wentz is on both sides. They know good. They understand the ins and outs of what Wentz needs to be fixed mechanically. They also know how he reacted to tough training in the past and how, in the first two years, the Eagles managed to get around some of the weaknesses of their game. ”
This could certainly be a drag if the Eagles expected the Colts to deliver a single first round choice to Wentz, let alone two first rounds – if the Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard it just wants an ‘initial two-year test’ – with a wait-and-see approach.
Regarding any future acquisition of cap hits by the NFL team for Wentz:
A team acquiring Carson Wentz will take 4 years and $ 98.4 million remaining in its contract ($ 24.7 million per year).
Your maximum results would be:
2021: $ 25.4 million
2022: $ 22M
2023: $ 25M
2024: $ 26MPhilly would eat a $ 33.8 million hit in 2021, the biggest in NFL history.
– Yates Field (@FieldYates) February 6, 2021
However, it looks like it could easily become a two-year contract, which should fit the Colts’ preference perfectly (although the franchise would probably be thrilled if Wentz performed very well on the pitch – and therefore throws away all the your current contract by the end of 2024):
THE #Colts would be acquiring Wentz with a guaranteed $ 40.4 million, including $ 25.4 million cap hits in 2021 and $ 22 million in 2022. The rest of the contract is cute, and the deal could be torn up and rebuilt with Nick Foles with the Bears.
– Spotrac (@spotrac) January 3, 2021
The hope is that by meeting with the Colts head coach, Frank Reich—Which was previously Wentz’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia (where the two shared significant success and built a positive working relationship together), that the NFL Draft 2016’s second overall choice can regain its former 2017 All-Pro form (or close to it)
During that outstanding season, Wentz launched 33 touchdowns for 7 interceptions as a legitimate candidate of the NFL MVP caliber – before, unfortunately, suffering a torn ACL at the end of the season.
In Indianapolis, Wentz would be supported by a strong offensive line (assuming the Colts can sustain the vague tackle position to the left) and a powerful running game – while playing in Reich’s “defender-friendly” attack.
However, if Wentz continues to fight, as he made 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season, before being replaced in favor of the rookie quarterback Jalen hurts at the end of the straight, the Colts only want an ‘easy exit’ after two seasons.
No harm, no fault (relatively speaking).
This makes sense, given the risk and future potential of high-wage cap adjustments involved with Wentz’s advance otherwise.
At the moment, if Breer’s speculation is true, it appears that the Colts are not willing to give up a significant acquisition to the Eagles anytime soon – since the franchise only sees Wentz as a short-term initial investment flier (with perhaps the chance to a lot more).