Derik Hamilton / Associated Press
The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly Tue received “aggressive offers” for quarterback Carson Wentz, as rumors of negotiations intensify in the off-season of 2021.
ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that the Eagles are looking for “significant compensation”, but are also aware that it is important to act quickly before there is too much NFL quarterback movement that can leave them without a serious Pro selection candidate Bowl 2017.
Les Bowen do Philadelphia Inquirer heard from a source that a business may already be “closed”:
The Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots lead the group of potential landing sites, by McManus.
On the other hand, Dan Patrick, from Fox Sports Radio, reported that the sudden increase in rumors could be an Eagles ploy to generate interest that had not materialized until now:
Wentz’s situation and potential commercial value in a defined off-season period to feature many defenders switching teams are difficult to analyze because of how far his numbers plummeted in 2020.
The second overall choice in the 2016 draft completed a career drop of 57.4 percent of his passes to 2,620 yards with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 appearances. He was 34th in the passer classification (72.8) and 28th in ESPN Total QBR (44.6), and he was a reserve for Jalen Hurts at the end of the campaign.
These statistics combined with four years of $ 128 million contract which runs through 2024 with occurrences of an upper limit of $ 31 million create a broad risk for the teams concerned.
Still, in the three seasons prior to 2020, the 28-year-old North Dakota State product was one of the league’s most effective signal callers. He compiled 81 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 40 regular season games between 2017 and 2019.
This is the level of production he needs to fulfill his contract, and a team lacking a defender may be willing to risk a recovery season in 2021.
In December, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Wentz “is not interested in being a reserve quarterback” and would like to negotiate if the team decides to move on with Hurts. New Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he was nowhere close to naming a starter for next season.
“Appointing an initiator, it didn’t even cross my mind”, Sirianni told reporters on January 29th.
All in all, the situation of the Eagles’ quarterback is one of the most remarkable stories of the offseason, but so far there are still more questions than answers about Wentz’s future in Philadelphia.