The Carson Wentz trade rumors are in full throttle now. After initially resisting the idea of moving their former Pro Bowl QB, the Philadelphia Eagles have resigned themselves to reality. Wentz reportedly still wants out despite the team firing head coach Doug Pederson, with whom he had a contentious relationship. So GM Howie Roseman has begun fielding calls for the 28-year old.
This is where the Chicago Bears come in. Multiple people have indicated they have jumped into the Wentz sweepstakes with both feet. Some even say they are currently the leader in the clubhouse to land him with the best offer on the table. Thus far there has been no such confirmation from major sources on that. It is clear though the Bears are involved in some capacity.
So what sort of details are available?
Let’s start with the teams involved. Several are at least checking in with the Eagles on Wentz including Carolina, Washington, Denver, and New England. However, most agree it’s currently a two-team race between Chicago and Indianapolis. Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer revealed in a recent column that as of right now the Colts seem like the most probable landing spot.
“Indianapolis seems a likely landing place if Wentz is traded, since the head coach there is Frank Reich, Wentz’s offensive coordinator with the Eagles for his first two years in the league. The Colts are expected to hire Press Taylor, the Eagles’ former quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, who is close to Wentz.”
The trade to the Colts makes sense for the reasons listed but also some added ones. Wentz himself would likely prefer Indianapolis as a destination. It’s getting to play in a dome without worrying about the colder temperatures of Philadelphia. He’d also be playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Eagles might prefer that as well since they’d be sending him to the AFC where they wouldn’t have to worry about seeing him too often.
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Carson Wentz trade will come down to who blinks first
What most Bears fans obviously want to know is what it will cost. Bowen elaborated somewhat on that as well. Roseman isn’t foolish. He knows quarterbacks are always a buyers market. Wentz is in his prime and has played some really good football in the past. Despite his ugly 2020 season, there will be teams who inevitably feel they can get him straightened out. That is why the price tag is high.
“Sources also said that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has placed a high asking price on Wentz, which probably would translate into multiple draft picks. The NFL Network reported Friday that teams have been asking the Eagles about the price for Wentz, 28, who signed a four-year, $128 million contract extension in 2019.”
Could that involve a 1st round pick? Yes. Remember the Bears hold the 20th pick in the draft this year. That doesn’t offer them the ideal position to land a QB of the future and it also might rob them of a chance to grab a top tackle or wide receiver too. So in their eyes, surrendering that pick in a Carson Wentz trade might be a worthwhile gamble.
He might not be the only QB involved either.
Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com as part of the Eagles beat has a pretty strong sense that any deal between the Bears and Eagles for Wentz would involve Nick Foles being sent back to Philadelphia. Foles is a folk hero in that city after winning them the Super Bowl in 2017 following the ACL injury Wentz suffered. Eagles fans adore him. The idea of getting him back would not only be a great PR move but also give them some depth behind Jalen Hurts.
“The Bears, of course, currently have Foles on their roster — and unless Wentz is going to sign off on a reunion with Foles, chances are any deal with the Bears will have Foles coming back to the Eagles for a third time.”
It would make sense for the Bears too. Executing a Carson Wentz trade brings a hefty contract back in the deal. So they will have to find every possible way to clear cap space. Trading Foles with a June 1st designation would net them an additional $4 million in breathing room. This way Wentz wouldn’t have to deal with looking over his shoulder at Foles again.
So to review? The Bears are in on Wentz. It’s between then and the Colts. Indy seems like the current favorite. The odds are strong it’ll cost a 1st round pick. If Chicago ends up making it happen, there’s a good chance Foles will be thrown into the deal as well. Expectations are that a deal will likely happen shortly after the Super Bowl. So buckle up.