It seems like it has been years since reports were coming from everywhere that a Carson Wentz trade was “close.”
Since then, Eagles’ fans have been left to wait and wonder why a trade that appeared to be close hasn’t happened, and if the lack of action means that Howie Roseman is messing this entire situation up.
What is becoming more-and-more clear the longer we wait for a deal, however, is that Roseman seems to be playing this entire situation perfectly.
First, it is important to point out that this is not a situation the Eagles or Roseman asked for.
You can blame them for prior mistakes — draft misses, lack of real weapons at receiver, the decision to draft Jalen Hurts, etc — but you can’t blame them for being in this situation. It is Wentz, not the Eagles, who decided he needed to be traded right now. Sure, he probably didn’t have to twist the Eagles’ arm too strong to get them to agree after a terrible 2020 season, but the reality is if Wentz didn’t want out he probably would be back in 2021.
It is also very likely that Wentz wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t feel he had a safe landing spot. His team of agents are too smart to force a trade without knowing a team would be waiting on the other side. It would not be surprising at all if Wentz’s team knew the Indianapolis Colts wanted Wentz, and that is why Wentz decided now is the time to force his way out.
Wentz’s calculated decision to leave has left Roseman and the Eagles scrambling, trying to turn Wentz’s value — which is probably at an all-time low — into something that can help this team start their rebuild.
In doing so, Roseman has clearly drawn a hard line in the sand — he wants real value back for Wentz and will not be trading him at a discounted price. That is the correct stand for Roseman to take. Wentz is maybe the last player on the roster right now that could fetch a first-round pick in return. As the Eagles begin the process of rebuilding, turning Wentz into a real asset is crucial.
The good news for the Eagles is that there is interest in Wentz. The Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears have serious interest. There are without question other teams monitoring the situation. That is what matters most here. Ignore the reports about what potential offers might not-or-not be. The bottom line is that multiple teams have decided they would take a chance on Wentz, contract-and-all. That means there is a market for Wentz, which is really all that matters right now.
It is also important that the teams that have interest in Wentz really need him.
The Bears are being run by Ryan Pace and Matt Naggy, who could be out of a job next year if 2021 is a disaster. That makes them desperate to make a big splash, and less tied to future draft picks, since they won’t be there to make them if Wentz does’t work out.
The Colts aren’t desperate in the same way, but they do have an urgent need for a quarterback. As good as their roster is — and it is very good — it won’t matter if they mess up as the quarterback spot. That puts pressure on them to make sure they get the right guy, not the guy they can get at the best bargain. If Frank Reich has decided Wentz is the quarterback he wants, than that puts pressure on Chris Ballard to make sure he lands Wentz. Also, if Wentz's team did believe the Colts would be there waiting on the other side of a trade request, that puts pressure on them to keep up their end of the bargain.
Both of those realities gives Roseman the edge over the Bears and Colts in a negotiations.
Yes, the Eagles need to trade Wentz, but they don’t need to trade him as badly as the Bears and Colts need him on their roster. If the Colts and Bears are really going to tie their seasons to Sam Darnold or Jameis Winston so they don’t trade a 1st-round pick instead of a 2nd-round pick, so be it. That is their seasons and jobs they are risking over about 30 spots in the draft. Roseman knows that both those teams have decided Wentz is their guy — and backing off because of the asking price is far riskier for those teams than it is for Roseman.
Also working in the Eagles’ advantage is that the 2021 season isn’t that important. Roseman has all the job security in the world. The team will only really compete for a playoff spot because the NFC East is so bad. If Roseman doesn’t get the offer he wants, the reality is he really could bring Wentz into minicamps and training camp. It would likely be a huge distraction, but he could definitely do it if other teams aren’t giving him what he wants for Wentz.
Remember — it is Wentz who wants out, not the Eagles who decided they must trade Wentz. It is Wentz’s fault this would be a distraction, not Roseman’s. That matters, especially in the eyes of Jeffrey Lurie. Only Roseman knows if Lurie is willing to pay Wentz's $10 million roster bonus, and if he is, there really is no rush at all for the Eagles.
Add everything up, and as painful as this process has been, waiting it is the right move by Roseman. Don’t make a panic trade. Don’t worry about the Colts moving on to Darnold. Don’t worry about the Bears all-the-sudden deciding to risk their jobs on Winston.
Wait both teams out, and ultimately, the offers Roseman really wants will come — and landing a first-round pick for Wentz in return will be worth the wait.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!