Carson Wentz‘s time in the city of brotherly love looks set to potentially end this off-season. According to reports, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is expected to ask for a trade this off-season. The reports from multiple outlets come on the heels of a 4-11-1 record for the Eagles this past season in which Wentz was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts near the end of the campaign. While the firing of head coach Doug Pederson could complicate matters, a Wentz trade request cannot be ruled out at this time.
While the change from Wentz to Hurts did little to change the trajectory of the Eagles season, the fact that a change was even made was newsworthy. After all, Wentz had just signed a massive four-year, $128-million contract extension during the summer of 2019. The contract extension, at the time, solidified Wentz as the Eagles franchise quarterback. Making matters worse, that very extension has yet to officially kick in.
With guarantee’s totaling around $108-million, the former North Dakota State quarterback also carries a massive $34.6-million cap hit for the 2021 season. Worse yet, should Wentz be cut or traded during the 2021 league year, this will bring a dead cap hit of over $59-million for the 2021 season. With so much money on the line and Wentz determined to find a starting role in the NFL, it only makes sense for both parties to find a solution, and fast.
Just who will be interested though? That’s what we are here to find out. Here are the five likeliest landing spots should the Philadelphia Eagles trade Carson Wentz this off-season.
Potential Carson Wentz Trade Destinations
New England Patriots
Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the New England Patriots are in desperate need of a quarterback. While Cam Newton performed admirably this season, the Tom Brady-less Patriots struggled for the majority of the campaign, finishing the year third in the AFC East with a 7-9 record. With Newton all but certain to depart this off-season and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham looking more and more like a NFL backup, the Patriots could be just the team for Carson Wentz.
Projected to have just over $55-million in cap space next season, New England possess more than enough cap space to accommodate Wentz. The biggest issue however will be whether or not Bill Belichick believes in Wentz. If Belichick does believe in the potential Wentz once possessed, then a trade for the quarterback will make total sense. Wentz will likely cost just one or two mid-to-late round draft picks. Potentially gaining a franchise signal-caller for such a small price would be huge for New England as they seek to compete in the extremely competitive AFC East.
Indianapolis Colts
With the future of current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers uncertain, the Colts could be on the lookout for a quarterback this offseason. Should Rivers choose to retire, Carson Wentz would be the perfect replacement option for the Colts. Without an early first round draft pick, chances are the Colts will miss out on one of the top quarterback options in this year’s draft. Potentially in need of a starter at the position, a trade for Wentz would be a low risk, high reward play for Indianapolis.
Possessing over $63-million in cap space next season, the Colts could definitely afford Carson Wentz. With a cap hit of around $34-million in 2021, a trade for Wentz wouldn’t break the bank in Indy. With additional cap space and a full slate of draft picks, the Colts would be able to continue in their attempts to improve the roster. Combine both of these and the Colts find themselves in a great spot to compete for an AFC South title in 2021.
Washington Football Team
Finishing with a 7-9 record during the regular season, the Washington Football Team had a very up-and-down campaign. On the negative side, Washington had a number of issues at quarterback and struggled mightily at times. Releasing former first round draft pick Dwayne Haskins near the end of his second season with the team, Washington had the look of an utterly lost team. Despite all of this the positives from the season outweighed the negatives. Thanks to an extremely poor NFC East, Washington managed to win the division title as well as make the playoffs.
While a playoff appearance in of itself is a great thing, the downside is that Washington will miss out on a early-to-mid first round draft pick. Certain to miss out on a top quarterback prospect, Washington must address their quarterback through other means. Enter Carson Wentz. While a trade of this magnitude between division rivals is normally unheard of, this would not be the first massive trade between Washington and Philadelphia.
Back in 2010, the two teams completed a trade for Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb. With precedent set, a trade between the two sides for Carson Wentz cannot be ruled out.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have a quarterback problem. How often has that phrase been said since Peyton Manning retired following the Broncos victory in Super Bowl 50? Since winning that Super Bowl in 2015, the Broncos have had nine different quarterback’s start at least one game for the team. Along the way, the club has also whiffed on first round draft picks Paxton Lynch and Drew Lock.
To end this cycle of mediocrity, the Broncos should make a move for Carson Wentz. However, to do this, Denver will need to sort out their salary cap situation first. The allure of Wentz could push Denver to make some tough cost cutting moves this off-season. If they do make those moves, then Wentz may find himself playing in the Mile High City in 2021.
Chicago Bears
Despite the fact that the team has massive salary cap issues at the moment, the Chicago Bears are a team that cannot be ruled out of the Carson Wentz sweepstakes. Mitchell Trubisky, despite some recent good form, is a bust. Nick Foles is a top notch backup that just cannot cut it as a starter. Oh yeah, and Chicago also will have a later first round pick thanks to the fact that they made the playoffs despite all of the above.
Possessing a decent roster, Carson Wentz could be just the player that the Bears need to reach the next level. While some roster shuffling and salary cuts would be needed, a trade for Wentz would instantly improve Chicago at the quarterback position. With Matt Nagy seemingly set to keep his job as head coach, a trade for Wentz would give Nagy one last chance to succeed as the head coach of the Bears.
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