The second big quarterback domino has fallen. Early Thursday morning, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles received a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick in exchange for their former quarterback. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the deal.
Wentz has been long reported as a potential trade candidate. After losing quarterback Phillip Rivers in the offseason, the Colts seemed like a natural fit. That deal now comes to fruition as the trade reunites Wentz with former offensive coordinator and current Colts head coach Frank Reich.
Reich was coaching Wentz in 2017 when he played his best year as a pro. During that season, the former North Dakota State product threw 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games. By balancing critique with praise, Reich was able to get the best out of Wentz.
The on-field success was great, but the off-field relationship Reich and Wentz had was more important. Reich�s ability to hold Wentz accountable and coach him with patience proved beneficial during their time together.
William Ricks, Sportscasting
What this Deal Means for Each Team
The Colts are the perfect landing spot for Wentz. They have the cap space to absorb his enormous contact. More importantly, the players that will surround Wentz in Indianapolis will give him the best situation possible. The Colts offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, headlined by star guard Quenton Nelson. While T.Y Hilton has regressed from his best days as a receiver, the Colts still have a solid receiving corps, with Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell being two of the emerging stars.
While it’s hard for the Eagles to give up on Wentz, the deal made sense for all parties involved. The return from the Colts is something for the Eagles fans to be excited about. The conditional 2022 second-round pick could turn into a first-round pick if some requirements are met.
The Eagles were clearly desperate to move on from Wentz’s poor contract. The dead cap hit that Philadelphia will take by trading Wentz is the largest in league history ($33.8 million). A tough pill to swallow, it was a move that needed to happen. Wentz was not going to live up to that contact as long as he played for the Eagles. This trade clears the way for the Eagles to start developing Jalen Hurts as their next quarterback, who played decently well in the last few games of the season. The Eagles are now also in play for a quarterback at sixth overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.
