The Eagles are remaining firm on their asking price for Carson Wentz, and the trade market has cooled.
A person with knowledge of the Eagles’ negotiations — who was granted anonymity so he could speak freely on an impending trade — told NJ Advance Media the potential trade partners have remained “disciplined” in negotiations, unwilling to meet the Eagles’ demands.
“They don’t want to give (Wentz) up for much less than (the Matthew Stafford haul),” another person with knowledge of the negotiations told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The Detroit Lions sent Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for the Rams’ first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, a third-round pick in 2021, and quarterback Jared Goff.
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The Indianapolis Colts have asked for additional compensation — a player, players or picks — along with Wentz in order to get close to the Eagles’ demands, according to a third person with knowledge of negotiations, who also was granted anonymity. That person said another undisclosed Eagles player has been brought up in discussions.
There’s a sense that the Chicago Bears — another interested party — are growing impatient, one of the sources said. According to the person, the Bears believe the Eagles have overvalued Wentz.
While Stafford was prized by the Rams, the heavy compensation sent to Detroit was partially due to the Lions taking on Goff’s massive contract, which features a $25 million guaranteed salary this season.
Wentz is likely to be the next major quarterback to change teams. While other quarterbacks, like Sam Darnold of the Jets and Marcus Mariota of the Las Vegas Raiders, could be traded, Wentz is the most likely to be moved.
If Darnold, Mariota, or another quarterback were to be traded to Indianapolis or Chicago, however, the Eagles would lose leverage. Right now, the Eagles have at least two teams interested in Wentz. If that number drops, the Eagles might need to take the remaining squad’s offer or deal with an awkward situation when training camp opens.
Wentz is coming off a dreadful season in which he was benched after 12 games for Jalen Hurts, a rookie. Despite playing a shortened season, Wentz still tied for the league lead with 15 interceptions. He also led the league by being sacked 50 times while playing behind a turnstile offensive line.
Wentz is one year removed from leading the Eagles to an NFC East title during the only 4,000-yard passing season in team history. He’s also only three years removed from a 2017 MVP-like season.
Wentz has connections with the Bears and Colts coaching staffs. He worked under Colts head coach Frank Reich, wide receivers coach Mike Groh and senior offensive assistant Press Taylor in Philadelphia. He has worked under Bears passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo with the Eagles.
Whether a trade is imminent or not, NJ Advance Media’s source on the initial report remained adamant that Wentz is still likely to be dealt, even if negotiations extend beyond this week.
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