By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The quarterback carousel is getting crowded. But room needs to be made for Eagles QB Carson Wentz.
According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, “teams have begun calling the Eagles on their former starter Wentz, plotting a roadmap for a potential trade.” The report clarifies that the Eagles aren’t actively shopping Wentz and, in the absence of a worthwhile deal, would bring him back for 2021. But Eagles GM Howie Roseman, per Rapoport, “will almost always listen.”
Is Bill Belichick among the GMs who gave Roseman a call? It’s possible Dave Ziegler, the “new Nick Caserio” in New England, took care of that first step. But ultimately, signs point to the Eagles holding onto Wentz and continuing to develop 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts for another year or two.
If it’s going to take a Matthew Stafford-like package – multiple first-round picks, plus other assets – who’s going to be willing to give that up for Wentz after the last three seasons? From 2018-20, Wentz has posted an 89.5 passer rating while missing six starts due to injury in the process. He’s thrown only 64 touchdowns in 39 games, against 29 interceptions.
Perhaps 2020 will represent the “rock bottom” of Wentz’s career. He posted a dismal 72.8 passer rating in 12 starts, “leading” the league in interceptions with 15 and completing only 57.4 percent of his passes. He also took a mind-boggling 50 sacks (more than four per game!!!), most in the league.
The Eagles are taking calls about a potential Carson Wentz trade, but it’s unlikely they’ll get an offer that’s worth accepting. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
There’s possibly some untapped potential with Wentz, who is still just 28 years old. He was a frontline MVP candidate in 2017, when he went 11-2 with a 101.5 passer rating before tearing his ACL in Week 14 of that season. He certainly competes and plays hard, and while he hasn’t been durable he is tough and unafraid to get physical. A new team could possibly correct his problems with turnovers and holding onto the ball too long. But he hasn’t been the same player since 2017, and his reckless-abandon style of play may not be sustainable.
And of course, there’s the contract. Over the next four years, Wentz is due $25.4 million, $22 million, $26 million, and $27 million in real cash. There’s a way out after the 2021 season, but it would leave Wentz’s team with $24 million in dead cap money. The Eagles’ cap savings in a pre-June 1 trade would be negligible – about $852,000 – so they may feel they might as well hold onto Wentz for one more year. It may take a Godfather offer to get him out of Philly.
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Wentz is unequivocally not worth that kind of price. Not right now, anyway. So unless the Eagles are that desperate to get rid of him and Belichick could acquire him for a swap of low draft picks, and deem him the short-term bridge from now until the next franchise quarterback, he and every other team are likely better off looking elsewhere.
There’s plenty more to talk about with the NFL offseason, which promises a historic amount of quarterback movement. Ty Anderson and I talked a lot about the Patriots’ situation and their QB options in the latest episode of the SideLines podcast, which you can listen to below.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.