Colts agree to trade for Eagles QB Carson Wentz
Philadelphia has agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick that could turn into a first, league sources tell @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 18, 2021
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Carson Wentz.
The move was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
After the retirement of veteran Philip Rivers, the Colts were once again on the hunt for a quarterback. As the offseason progressed, Wentz’s name became a popular choice given his familiarity with head coach Frank Reich, who was the Eagles offensive coordinator for the first two years of Wentz’s career (2016-2017).
#Eagles have agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the #Colts for a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional second-rounder in 2022, as ESPN reported. Wentz headed for a reunion with Frank Reich.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 18, 2021
Now, the Colts have their starting quarterback for the 2021 season as they look to repair the 28-year-old, who went through an utterly dismal 2020 campaign.
Not only are the Colts giving up compensation in the draft to acquire Wentz, but they are also expected to take on the rest of his current contract. Some of that is subject to change as more details of the trade get released. The deal will not be official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 17.
Unless trade negotiations between the Colts and Eagles have changed details of his contract, Indy is expected to be taking on $25.4 million as a cap hit for Wentz. The Eagles will take a cap hit of roughly $9.3 million.
Three years after he was an MVP candidate in Reich’s offense, Wentz had a rough 2020 season. In 12 games before being benched for Jalen Hurts, Wentz completed 57.4% of his passes for 2,620 yards, 16 touchdowns and a league-leading 15 interceptions. His 82.5 passer rating from a clean pocket was 28th in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 348 dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus.
The Colts have a roster that can compete for a playoff spot, and their hope is that they can get Wentz back to form with a strong roster around him.
It’s a big risk, but the Colts will be rolling with Wentz as the fourth starting quarterback in as many years since Reich was hired as head coach.
