The Carson Wentz trade cycle developed with remarkable speed. After the firing of head coach Doug Pederson in January, it looked like the Philadelphia Eagles were focusing their offseason on trying to fix the 28-year old quarterback. However, it turned out they didn’t take his own feelings into account. Wentz reportedly wants out of Philadelphia regardless of who the next coach is. Thus as January turned to February, the trade buzz ramped up.

In the past few days, the picture has come into focus. While several teams checked in on Wentz, only two seem like the favorites to land him. The Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears. Both need a quarterback and both have ties to Wentz via their coaching staff. Rumors have flown from all directions but the general picture seems to be the Eagles wants something similar to what the Lions got for Matthew Stafford.

Nobody believes they’re going to get it.

This doesn’t appear to be stopping them from trying. A source told me the Eagles have put in a concerted effort to feed the media machine in the past couple of days with all sorts of rumors. This is an attempt to generate more heat in the market. The hope is that the Bears and Colts will either continue to bid against each other or one of them will bid against themselves out of fear another team could jump in.

This section from a recent column by Zach Berman of The Athletic is pretty poignant on the subject.

“I once caught wind the Eagles were about to cut someone. He wasn’t a big-name player, but they had drafted him and news is news, so I wanted to report it. I went to confirm it with an Eagles employee, who said my information wasn’t totally accurate. The player was on the trade block — he wasn’t about to be released. I tried to maintain professionalism, but I might have laughed. No way they could trade him — he was the type of player a team would find on the waiver wire.

A few days later, the text message came. The Eagles had traded him.

My point is this: The Eagles front office clearly has its deficiencies, but generating a trade market isn’t one of them.”

Recent buzz has continued to suggest neither the Bears nor Colts want to surrender a 1st round pick. If one or the other ends up backing out, it’s possible they may get their wish. So it’s rather convenient that several people both in Philadelphia and abroad have been making mentions of where the trade talks sit.

Next couple of days will be interesting. Can the Bears outbid the Colts for Carson Wentz? Something is going to happen in a trade.

— Family of John Clayton (@JohnClaytonNFL) February 7, 2021

Source is telling me Bears deal for Wentz is close. Foles is speculated to be included with another offensive player and a first rounder. Buckle up.

— Natalie Egenolf (@NatalieEgenolf) February 7, 2021

Rumors all over tonight on #Eagles trade of QB Carson Wentz. Here’s what I’m told. Wentz and a draft pick to #Bears for number 1 draft pick, QB Nick Foles, and RB Tarik Cohen who is coming off ACL injury but should be ready in September. @SportsRadioWIP

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) February 7, 2021

If it’s down to Bears and Colts for Carson Wentz, and his choice is one, the #Eagles QB should have leverage to influence his destination. He could simply say he won’t play for one and that should be enough. And if that team were to know, they likely won’t have to sweeten offer.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) February 7, 2021

The paints a clear enough picture of Carson Wentz derby

It’s obvious the Eagles are attempting to play the Bears and Colts against each other. They know the two teams need a quarterback and Wentz might be one of the best left available. This is an obvious attempt on their part to feed into that desperation. It comes down to whether Ryan Pace or Chris Ballard take the bait and raise their offer to what Philadelphia wants.

For most Bears fans, it wouldn’t be a shock at all if Pace ends up being that guy. He’s already shown a willingness to take big (reckless) swings at quarterback in the past. Throwing $45 million at Mike Glennon. Trading three picks to move up one spot for Mitch Trubisky. Trading a 4th round pick for Nick Foles and his hefty contract. People have little faith that the Bears GM is capable of keeping his calm when a quarterback is involved.

Especially a quarterback he happens to like.

Don’t forget Carson Wentz was the apple of his eye back in the 2016 draft. The Bears were hoping to move up for him that year. Unfortunately, the Eagles got there first. It isn’t hard to believe Pace might see this as his opportunity to secure a guy he always wanted. Throw in the fact his job is on the line? Him holding his ground is difficult to envision.