(670 The Score) As the waiting game continues in the trade sweepstakes for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, former NFL executive and current Radio.com Sports insider Michael Lombardi expressed the belief that Wentz would be a good fit for the Bears – in the right circumstance.
And in Lombardi’s mind, the right circumstance for the Bears would mean not giving up a first-round pick and then also making a point to fortify their offensive line in the offseason.
“I like Wentz,” Lombardi said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday morning. “I've always been a Wentz fan. I think the problem is, obviously, what do you have to pay for him? The Eagles have been asking for quite a bit. I know they've been asking teams for two number ones and a three, which to me is completely outrageous. Why would you do that? You're walking into a situation where you know he's had a lot of trouble in terms of his eye level. He's gotten hit. There's some risk, and of course the money is a risk. Right? So, you have to take that in. It depends on what the price is.”
Lombardi then referenced the appeal of Wentz working with Bears passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, who coached in Philadelphia in 2017, when Wentz had a terrific season before being injured.
“DeFilippo coached him at the Eagles in '17, so obviously he likes him,” Lombardi said. “But I think you're going to have to fix him, and he's broken right now. He's gotten hit way too much. I think the Bears are going to have to strengthen their offensive line if they do take him on and do what he does well, which is he needs to be part of a run game that helps him.
“I don't think I'd give up a one for Wentz. I think there's a risk-reward here. That's what made their asking price ridiculous. If you can get him for a second, third, you do something like that. But to give up a one for a guy that you're not sure of and you're taking up $45 million in cap debt, that's a pretty risky proposition. I would have a hard time making that deal. I really would.
“You need to be courageous, not desperate, if you're Ryan Pace.”
Wentz, 28, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s coming off an abysmal 2020 season in which he threw for 2,620 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while posting a 72.8 quarterback rating in 12 games.
Wentz had a strong 2019 season, throwing for 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions while posting a 93.1 quarterback rating. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017.