NFL trade rumors: The next quarterback domino is expected to fall soon

The NFL’s 2021 offseason has already seen one blockbuster trade, and it seems as if the next one might be on the horizon as well. After last week’s Matthew Stafford/Jared Goff exchange between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly also on the verge of trading their franchise quarterback.

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, the Eagles are expected to trade former first-round draft pick Carson Wentz “in the coming days.” While not concrete landing spot has been identified just yet, the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears have both been identified as organizations that might be interested in obtaining Wentz’s services.

Wentz originally joined the NFL as the second overall selection of the 2016 draft, and has served as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback ever since. However, he never quite lived up to his potential due to a mix of injuries, inconsistent play and reported issues with the Eagles’ staff.

Appearing in a combined 69 regular season and playoff games over his first five seasons in the league, Wentz has posted some solid numbers — he has completed 62.6 percent of his pass attempts for 16,814 yards, 113 touchdowns and 50 interceptions — but eventually failed to hold onto his starting gig in 2019. Losing the position to second-round rookie Jalen Hurtz late during the year, his future was very much put into question.

Now, it seems as a if a decision is close to being made.

The deal itself will be a fascinating one to watch. After all, the team acquiring the 28-year-old will also inherit the remainder of the $128 million contract extension he signed in 2019. Four years and $98.4 million are still left on the pact, with his annual salary cap hits coming in at between $22 million and $26 million.

It would therefore not be a surprise to see a team acquire Wentz in trade looking similar to the one that once sent Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns: in order to dump Osweiler and his contract, the Texans traded him plus second- and sixth-round picks to the Browns in return for a conditional fourth-round selection. Philadelphia participating in a similar trade would not be a surprise.

The question is not just whether or not the Colts or Bears would be willing to participate in such a move, but whether or not the New England Patriots should be on the list of potential suitors as well.

That much can be questioned, tough, given Wentz’s seemingly plateauing development and the reports of his rumored inability to respond to coaching. Even though his upside is intriguing and they are in need of a long-term solution at the quarterback position, the Patriots investing any noticeable assets to get the former first-round draft pick aboard would therefore be a surprise.