Patriots among betting favorites to add Carson Wentz if let go by Eagles

Carson Wentz entered the NFL as the second overall draft pick in 2016, has been named to a Pro Bowl, and was entrusted with a four-year, $128 million contract extension just two years ago. And yet, there is a chance that he and the Philadelphia Eagles are headed into different directions after a difficult 2020 campaign.

If Wentz does get released or traded this offseason — the Eagles would then move forward with Jalen Hurts as their starting quarterback — the potential landing spots naturally also include the New England Patriots, another team with questions at the quarterback position. In fact, only two other teams currently have better odds to pick him up (via Bet Online):

Indianapolis Colts +150

Chicago Bears +200

New England Patriots +500

San Francisco 49ers +600

Denver Broncos +700

Detroit Lions +700

Washington Football Team +800

Pittsburgh Steelers +900

The Patriots are headed into an uncertain future at quarterback with Cam Newton no lock to return, and only backup Jarrett Stidham under contract for 2021. Adding Wentz would, at the very least, give the team another higher-upside option to work with.

Of course, the circumstances would have to work as well. It seems unlikely, for example, that New England would be willing to acquire his $25.4 million salary cap hit for 2021 via trade — unless the Eagles add some sort of deal sweetener (see: the Brock Osweiler trade from Houston to Cleveland). Still, if let go one way or the other, the Patriots appear to be a viable landing spot for the 28-year-old.