Carson Wentz’s days in the City of Brotherly Love appear numbered. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, who was benched late in the season in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts, could be the third signal-caller to be traded this NFL offseason. The Los Angeles Rams forked over QB Jared Goff and two first-round picks in order to acquire quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions.
Wentz is likely the next quarterback to be moved via trade. Despite firing Doug Pederson, whose relationship reportedly soured with Wentz in his final season serving as head coach, there is no evidence the Eagles have patched things up with their 2016 first-round pick.
From @GMFB: A look at potentially the next QB domino to drop… pic.twitter.com/uJOFDx6Kje
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2021
Back in 2019, Wentz signed a massive four-year, $128 million contract extension that kicks in for the 2021 season. But coming off a turnover-riddled 2020 season in which he threw 16 passing touchdowns against a league-high 15 interceptions in 12 starts, Wentz could benefit from a fresh start.
Teams have reportedly begun calling the Eagles regarding Wentz’s availability. The Eagles and their new head coach, Nick Sirianni, have maintained that they plan on retaining Wentz. However, the Eagles are open to listening to offers for the former No. 2 overall pick.
What are some of the logical trade destinations for Wentz? Let’s rank the four best options for the one-time Pro Bowler in descending order.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers reportedly offered multiple first-round picks for Matthew Stafford. This signals they don’t have complete trust in starter Teddy Bridgewater, who has two seasons remaining on the three-year, $63 million pact he signed last offseason.
Stafford is a more accomplished quarterback than Wentz, so it’s highly unlikely the Panthers offer multiple first-rounders for the Eagles quarterback. Nonetheless, Carolina appears aggressive in its approach to augment the quarterback position in an offense loaded with talent.
Another wrinkle in the Matthew Stafford trade: At one point on Saturday, the #Lions and #Panthers were so close that Carolina was in the process of obtaining Stafford’s medicals from Detroit, per @AlbertBreer. The #Rams came in with a more aggressive offer, and that got it done.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 2, 2021
The Panthers aren’t going to give up the eighth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft to acquire Carson Wentz. But they may part ways with the 39th pick and a future third-round selection for the 2017 Pro Bowler.
3. New England Patriots
Year one in the post–Tom Brady era did not go well under center for the Patriots. Cam Newton went 7-8 as the starting quarterback, tossing just eight touchdown passes versus 10 interceptions. Despite rushing for 12 touchdowns, New England’s 27th-ranked offense was stagnant all year.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would love to have a traditional pass-first quarterback at his disposal. New England finished 30th in pass yards per contest (180.6). Looking to upgrade the air attack, could Wentz fit the mold?
The Patriots could package the 46th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and a future third-rounder to land Wentz.
2. Chicago Bears
The Bears are in the ultimate win-now mode. Both head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace are on the hot seat. They are desperate to find a new quarterback after Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles struggled mightily last season.
Projected to enter the offseason over the salary cap threshold, the Bears will be forced to cut multiple players. They will not have the resources to sign a quarterback in free agency. Given that the Bears have a major incentive to trade for a quarterback, the Eagles could force Ryan Pace to fork over a first-round pick—specifically the 20th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft—for Wentz.
In addition to giving up a first-rounder, the Bears would be happy to trade Foles to the Eagles in order to offset the hefty contract that Went possesses. Foles returning to a backup role with the Eagles—who he led to a Super Bowl title following the 2017 season after Went got hurt—makes the potential deal even sweeter for Philadelphia.
1. Indianapolis Colts
This is by far the most logical landing spot for Carson Wentz. Colts head coach Frank Reich was the Eagles offensive coordinator in 2017—the year Wentz finished third in MVP voting. Playing in Reich’s offense, Wentz dominated in ’17 to the tune of 33 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in 13 games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
There is another Eagles connection now in Indianapolis. Press Taylor, the former Eagles QB coach and passing game coordinator, will join the Colts’ staff. With multiple familiar faces with which Wentz can work in Indianapolis, the Colts could be very motivated to trade for the passer.
The Colts need a new guy under center after 2020 starter Philip Rivers announced his retirement last month. They presumably would be willing to part ways with multiple second-round picks (or a 2021 first-rounder and a future third-round selection) to grab Wentz off the trade market.
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