We’re now 11 days removed from Adam Schefter reporting a Carson Wentz trade would happen “in the coming days.”
Since that report, nothing substantial has happened. We’ve heard reports about who’s interested, what the compensation might be, and now we know Wentz’s preferred destination.
To no one’s surprise, Wentz wants to be re-united with former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich in Indianapolis. The only problem is, the Colts aren’t offering what Howie Roseman views as fair compensation at this point.
We also know that the Bears have pushed for Wentz much harder than the Colts have. NFL insider Albert Breer appeared on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” on Tuesday to shed some light on the whole Wentz dilemma.
“Chicago is the front runner. The Bears have pushed harder than the Colts,” Breer explained. “Bears would like to at least know that Carson Wentz is on board before pulling the trigger on a trade.”
From a player’s perspective, it makes sense for Wentz to prefer Indy. They’re a much more stable organization that’s really only a quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders. Chicago, on the other hand, has never been a tightly run franchise. Head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace are fighting for their jobs at this point. If a Wentz trade doesn’t work out, both could be gone at the end of the 2021 season. Leaving Wentz to possibly look for another team in 2022.
But at the end of the day, Wentz has little say in the matter. While it’s easy to pile on Roseman for his mishandling of this whole situation, we need to remember how bad Wentz played this season. If he had played at just an average level, he likely would have never gotten benched and we’d never be the situation we’re in now.
If the Bears are the only team willing to cough up a first round pick for him, Wentz should be happy to even have another opportunity to lead a franchise. Wentz is just making this harder on all parties involved by trying to force his way to the Colts.
Not to mention the Eagles will swallow $34 million in dead cap once a trade is made. The compensation in return for Wentz needs to be up to par, and if the Bears are the only team willing to pony up, Howie shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
I’m not sure if Howie wants to do right by Wentz by waiting this out, but he shouldn’t be. The relationship is already torn beyond repair, why send this disgruntled player to his preferred destination when it’ll hurt your team in the long-run?
Wentz hasn’t done right by the organization at any step along the way this offseason. It’s time for this deal to get done so everyone can move on.