Chicago Bears fans have been driven to a near fever pitch at this point. They’ve been bombarded with rumors for days that the team is heavily involved in a possible trade for Carson Wentz. The reactions have been mixed to say the least. Many hate it after his ugly 2020 season. Others are open to taking the gamble given how well he played the three years prior. More than anything, people are united on one thing. Little faith Ryan Pace can control himself.
The Bears GM has made three moves at quarterback of note. All of which felt like overreactions both at the time and since. Paying Mike Glennon $45 million. Trading three picks to move up one spot for Mitch Trubisky. Giving up a 4th round pick and $21 million guaranteed for Nick Foles. Now with his job on the line, nobody can trust Pace will do anything but swing wildly on the QB market this year. That includes giving a massive package to the Eagles for Wentz.
However, there may be a ray of hope on that front.
Mike Kaye of NJ.com covers the Eagles as a beat reporter. His recent article revealed that a Wentz trade is close. Most likely it gets done either Monday or Tuesday this week. Three teams are reportedly involved with the Bears and Indianapolis Colts being the two favorites. Based on what he’s hearing, Pace could be handling things a bit better than people think.
According to the source, the belief around the league is that the trade market will come down to the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. While a third undisclosed team is said to be in the mix, the source noted that the Bears and Colts are in the driver’s seat and a deal is “close.”
While there’s a sense that GM Howie Roseman is trying to drive up the market, the person said Colts GM Chris Ballard and Bears GM Ryan Pace have remained “disciplined” during negotiations.
This is at least a little encouraging. Word is the Eagles initially asked for a Matthew Stafford-like trade for Wentz. This being two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick, and a player. The widespread belief is there is no way they get anything close to that. It’s more likely they’re trying to secure a 1st round pick. It appears the Bears and Colts are resisting that.
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Ryan Pace needs a QB but he can’t break the bank for one
Paying a king’s ransom for Wentz would defeat the entire purpose of this offseason. There is no guarantee the 28-year old will return to his old form. It’s clear he has confidence and fundamental issues. To say nothing of the accusations that he’s difficult to coach and a locker room problem. Then there’s the contract, which brings $47 million over the next two years. Wentz doesn’t have the credibility Stafford does. That is why his market is considerably smaller.
Ryan Pace is correct to take a measured and careful approach to this. He knows Wentz wants out and he knows the Eagles have a major salary cap problem. Why should he feel obligated to bail them out with a massive offer? This is a business discussion. His job is to get the best possible deal for his team. Remember he got a pretty favorable outcome in the Khalil Mack trade which included a 2nd round pick back in return.
He’s also done business with Roseman before.
The Bears and Eagles have made three trades together since 2018. The first two involved Chicago sending Deiondre Hall and Jordan Howard to Philadelphia for late round picks. The third saw Pace jump from the 6th round back into the 5th this past draft to select wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Not a bad maneuver. He knows who he is dealing with.
