Where Could Carson Wentz Land in the Future After Being Benched for Jalen Hurts?

[Procus]

It's amazing that somebody actually gets paid to write this drivel.  Although it's Bleacher, so this dolt probably isn't getting paid anything . . .

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2921523-where-could-carson-wentz-land-in-the-future-after-being-benched

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Where Could Carson Wentz Land in the Future After Being Benched for Jalen Hurts?

Tyler Brooke

December 8, 2020

Derik Hamilton/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles will be starting a new quarterback Sunday, potentially signaling the end of the Carson Wentz era.

Head coach Doug Pederson announced Tuesday that rookie Jalen Hurts will be taking over as the starter for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. Hurts showed some flashes in last week's 30-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers after replacing Wentz, forcing Pederson's hand to name him the starter.

Wentz has played poorly this season, and those struggles have gone beyond the box score. The tape has shown a quarterback missing open receivers and struggling to work the pocket when under pressure.

A change of scenery might be exactly what Wentz needs to turn his career around. A team could try to trade for him this offseason, but the more likely scenario is that the Eagles cut him before the 2022 season to save almost $7 million in cap space.

Regardless of when, there's now a real chance that Wentz plays elsewhere in the near future. Several teams could use Wentz right now, but sad-sack franchises like the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars are likely to take quarterbacks early in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, so they’re unlikely landing spots for him. 

Instead, let's take a look at a few teams that could potentially go after the 27-year-old in 2021 or 2022.

 

Indianapolis Colts (2021)

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Matt Patterson/Associated Press

The Indianapolis Colts didn't sign the 39-year-old Philip Rivers to be their long-term answer at quarterback. Trading for Wentz after this season could be a long-term move if they believe in the 2016 No. 2 overall pick.

Rivers signed a one-year deal this past offseason to help the Colts try to make a Super Bowl run. They're in the playoff hunt with an 8-4 record, but that could also prevent them from drafting his successor in April.

Picking later in the first round could prevent the Colts from drafting someone like North Dakota State's Trey Lance or BYU's Zach Wilson to take over as their next franchise quarterback. Instead, they could try to land a veteran quarterback in the offseason and focus on drafting talent at other positions.

The Colts might not have to give up many assets for Wentz if the Eagles are more concerned with offloading his massive contract than anything else.

The Colts are one of the only teams equipped to take on Wentz's four-year, $128 million contract. They're projected to have nearly $76.8 million in cap space this offseason, the third-most in the league, according to Spotrac. 

General manager Chris Ballard may not be keen on giving anything up to take on such a huge contract. But if the Colts can't secure another option at quarterback for 2021, Wentz could be a realistic trade option. 

 

New England Patriots (2021)

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Peter Joneleit/Associated Press

The New England Patriots will have another quarterback dilemma in the 2021 offseason. Bill Belichick may already have a plan in place, but trading for Wentz could give him a suitable option moving forward.

Cam Newton joined the Patriots on a one-year deal this offseason, but the experiment hasn't worked out as well as fans might have hoped. The Patriots are third in the AFC East with a 6-6 record and are at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

If the Patriots don't have faith in 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham to take over under center, Wentz could be a potential trade option. They're projected to have nearly $67.7 million in cap space this offseason, the fourth-most in the league, according to Spotrac. 

Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have played to Newton's strengths this season by adapting their offense, including more designed runs for the quarterback. They could do the same for Wentz and build an offense designed to help the 27-year-old turn his career around.

 

San Francisco 49ers (2022)

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Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

After making it to the Super Bowl last year, the San Francisco 49ers have endured a brutal 2020 season. If they don't turn things around in 2021, it could result in some big changes the following offseason.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be under a ton of pressure to perform next season after missing the majority of this year with a nagging ankle injury. If he is unable to help the 49ers make another deep playoff run, they could decide to part ways with him and go with someone else under center.

It wouldn't be financially prohibitive for the Niners to cut Garoppolo either this offseason or next. They could save $25.6 million in cap space by releasing him before the 2022 season if general manager John Lynch decided to find a new quarterback then. 

Wentz could be an option for the Niners if the Eagles cut him, as head coach Kyle Shanahan would likely turn him back into a legitimate playmaker with his offensive system. Having weapons like George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk could help restore Wentz's confidence and get him playing at a high level again.

 

Denver Broncos (2022)

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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Second-year quarterback Drew Lock is looking less and less like the Denver Broncos' quarterback of the future. If the Broncos don't move on from him in 2021, they may be forced to do so the following year if he keeps playing like he has been.

Lock showed flashes as a rookie, guiding the Broncos to a 4-1 record late in the season while throwing for 1,020 yards, seven touchdowns and only three interceptions for a passer rating of 89.7. He's been less consistent this year, completing only 55.4 percent of his passes for 1,918 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a lowly 67.1 passer rating across nine games.

Fortunately for the Broncos, Lock's rookie contract makes it much easier for them to move on if he doesn't improve. But general manager John Elway is a big fan of Lock, so the former Missouri star could get another year to prove himself if he's fully healthy in 2021.

In the event Lock still can't put it together next season, Denver could start to look for a replacement the following offseason. If the Eagles cut him, Wentz could be a solid veteran option to bring in on a short-term , prove-it deal.

Wentz wouldn't have to do it all himself, either. The Broncos have plenty of weapons on offense, including Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton. 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2022)

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Adam Hunger/Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers became a Super Bowl contender this offseason when they signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. However, the 43-year-old will have to retire eventually.

Brady signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers this offseason. He'll be heading into his age-45 season in 2022, so Tampa Bay may not be interested in re-signing him once his current contract expires.

Head coach Bruce Arians is known as a quarterback whisperer, and if he's still around after Brady departs, he could be the perfect coach for Wentz. However, Arians is 68 years old and had previously retired before taking the Tampa Bay job, so there's a chance he could retire again before 2022 as well. 

If Arians is still coaching and the Buccaneers are in the quarterback market in 2022, Wentz could be just what their offense needs. While the Eagles have struggled surrounding Wentz with talented receivers over the past few seasons, the Buccaneers are stacked at the position with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. 

Wentz needs a change of scenery and some new weapons to work with, so Tampa Bay might make the most sense in 2022 if the Eagles ultimately decide to part ways with the 2016 No. 2 overall pick. 

 

[Guest]

Besides Denver, all situations that we would immediately regret putting him in.

[Procus]

2 hours ago, downundermike said:

Besides Denver, all situations that we would immediately regret putting him in.

He's basically untradeable for two more years and is not going anywhere right now.

[PoconoDon]

Nowhere. The $$$ says he doesn't move until after the 2022 season.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Whether Wentz stays or is traded depends on what happens with the GM or HC.

The most likely outcome is that Wentz stays and any new look FO and coaching staff try to turn Wentz around. Or that Howie stays and he tries to put people around Wentz that can help turn him around. 

That said if a new GM and HC come in then I could see them going a different direction and wanting to either go with Hurts or draft their own QB.

[Diehardfan]

The Eagles aren't cutting him this year the article is insane. The GM sucks, the coach can't call plays, the OL can't block, then you reach Carson. 

Does he suck this year? Absolutely, but you dont give up on a young QB before changing the other things. If they change the other things and he still sucks in a year or two then fine. Outside of that it is stupidity unless the Jets and Jags win 3 more games each. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

41 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

The Eagles aren't cutting him this year the article is insane. The GM sucks, the coach can't call plays, the OL can't block, then you reach Carson. 

No they aren't cutting him, no chance. But they could potentially trade him. I'm not saying that is likely but I think it's a possibility. 

[CalgarEAGLES]

I can see him getting traded to Minnesota vikes.  He will be much closer to his stomping grounds & possibly regain + gather his bearings.  I can see us getting Harrison smith, you well know our track record in getting secondary help. 

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, CalgarEAGLES said:

I can see him getting traded to Minnesota vikes.  He will be much closer to his stomping grounds & possibly regain + gather his bearings.  I can see us getting Harrison smith, you well know our track record in getting secondary help. 

Cousins is under contract for two more years, and they are currently over the cap for next year.  So not only do they need to get under the cap, they would have to find someone to take Cousins in a trade.

[time2rock]

12 hours ago, Procus said:

He's basically untradeable for two more years and is not going anywhere right now.

It was mentioned that the cap hit in 2021 would basically be the same whether he was on the roster or traded (dead money hit about $30M).  So IOW we’d be paying out the same to either play for us or to not play for us.  

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, time2rock said:

It was mentioned that the cap hit in 2021 would basically be the same whether he was on the roster or traded (dead money hit about $30M).  So IOW we’d be paying out the same to either play for us or to not play for us.  

34.8 million is the cap hit if he is traded before his roster bonus becomes guaranteed on the 3rd day of the league year.  44.8 million if traded after that.

35 million if he is on the roster. 

Based on the fact they would not eat 10 million to get rid of Jeffrey, they are not going to eat 35 million.

[GreenbleedinNC]

If Hurts sticks(which we don;t know yet) this would devastate any trade plans we have/had. We tend to ride players out(sometimes too long), so I see no decision this year as we try to resurrect his career. On another board I reco'd benching Wentz After week 3 as a "wake up call" and was bashed(lol). But maybe this sets a fire under Wentz, because no matter if he stays or goes, he will have to show he can play to his paycheck. If he can't we are stuck with a highly paid BU

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

If Hurts sticks(which we don;t know yet) this would devastate any trade plans we have/had

It would devastate any trade plans for Hurts. Not so much for Wentz though...

[Diehardfan]

10 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

No they aren't cutting him, no chance. But they could potentially trade him. I'm not saying that is likely but I think it's a possibility. 

Fine with that. But not letting him just walk. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 minute ago, Diehardfan said:

Fine with that. But not letting him just walk. 

They won't cut him because they can't. If they cut him then I'm pretty sure it would become impossible to get under the cap for next year so cutting him isn't an option. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

They won't cut him because they can't. If they cut him then I'm pretty sure it would become impossible to get under the cap for next year so cutting him isn't an option. 

Cutting him leaves a dead cap hit of 59.2 million

[UK_EaglesFan89]

3 minutes ago, downundermike said:

Cutting him leaves a dead cap hit of 59.2 million

Yes. Hence why they can't cut him. 

[jsdarkstar]

I don't believe the Eagles are ready to move on from Wentz just yet. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Yes. Hence why they can't cut him. 

Yep, just giving you the number to back up your point.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

2 minutes ago, downundermike said:

Yep, just giving you the number to back up your point.

Ah OK, cheers buddy. I do think trade is possible though. 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I do think trade is possible though. 

It is, and I guarantee we will regret it for years.

[Diehardfan]

49 minutes ago, downundermike said:

Cutting him leaves a dead cap hit of 59.2 million

On the plus side they won't be able to spend money on other crappy players if Howie is still here 

[birdman#12]

Why do these idiot writers write this crap?  Wentz hasn't been benched for a whole game yet, and this idiot is talking trade partners for a player who, financially, would be a disaster to trade.

Wentz's troubles this year seem unprecedented and confusing to the point that something may be going on in his head that has escaped detection.  Did his concussion last year cause some cognitive issues?  His decision making is noticeably slower......his judgement is questionable. 

I'd like to think the eagles medical staff has done some neurocognitive testing since his injury, but what if they haven't?  Maybe it was done in the weeks following his injury but not since?

There's something going on besides him losing confidence and playing hero ball......and I hope the eagles and Wentz can figure it out.  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, downundermike said:

It is, and I guarantee we will regret it for years.

We may well do yes. But keeping him? We could regret that for years too.

[GreenbleedinNC]

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

It would devastate any trade plans for Hurts. Not so much for Wentz though...

Nah, Hurts is a round 2 ROOKIE,plenty would love to have him on a free ride rook contract