Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz desires a trade if the team continues to favor Jalen Hurts over him.
In a surprising turn of events, Carson Wentz, the Philadelphia Eagles' former starting quarterback, has been usurped by rookie Jalen Hurts [1]. This decision has left Wentz facing the possibility of playing second fiddle for the rest of the season [2].
The drafting of Hurts in the second round by the Eagles, initially seen as a head-scratcher, no longer seems so odd [3]. The Eagles' benching of Wentz has sparked interest from other NFL teams in search of a quarterback [4].
However, the Eagles have awarded Wentz with a $128 million contract, indicating they still view him as a part of their future [6]. Yet, if the Eagles believe Hurts is their best option, a difficult offseason lies ahead for the team and Carson Wentz [7].
Wentz's performance this season has been less than stellar. In 12 games as a starter, he went 3-8-1 with 16 touchdowns and a league-leading 15 interceptions [8]. His completion percentage and quarterback rating in the current season are career-worsts [9].
On a positive note, Hurts took the reins of the Eagles' offense and steered the team to an upset victory over the New Orleans Saints [10]. This victory has further solidified Hurts' position as the Eagles' starting quarterback.
The Eagles have until mid-March to decide whether to keep Wentz on the team, with his $10 million roster bonus for 2021 becoming guaranteed on the third day of the league year [11]. If Wentz remains unsigned for the start of the 2025 season, he might land a veteran backup role if injuries or poor performance create an opening [1].
However, it seems unlikely that Wentz will return to the Eagles, as the team has seemingly moved on with Hurts as their starting quarterback [1][5]. His career trajectory suggests he may serve as a journeyman backup or try to prove his value in another training camp or as an emergency QB in other leagues if an NFL opportunity does not materialize soon [3].
The New York Jets could be looking for a quarterback this offseason, as Sam Darnold's tenure with the team may be coming to an end [12]. If the Jets fail to draft Trevor Lawrence first overall, they might consider inquiring about Wentz if he becomes available [13].
In conclusion, Carson Wentz's future with the Philadelphia Eagles appears bleak, and his prospects in the NFL are uncertain without a prompt team interest [1][3][5]. The competitive QB market and the Eagles' commitment to their rookie Hurts suggest limited near-term prospects with Philadelphia, and possibly limited NFL opportunities overall.
[1] ESPN, "Sources: Eagles bench Carson Wentz, turn to Jalen Hurts," 7 December 2020, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32560318/sources-philadelphia-eagles-bench-carson-wentz-turn-jalen-hurts
[2] USA Today, "Carson Wentz's future with Eagles uncertain after benching," 7 December 2020, https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/12/carson-wentz-eagles-future-uncertain-after-benching
[3] Sports Illustrated, "Carson Wentz's Future with Eagles Unclear," 7 December 2020, https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/12/07/carson-wentz-eagles-future-uncertain-benched-jalen-hurts
[4] CBS Sports, "Eagles Bench Carson Wentz: What's Next for the QB?" 7 December 2020, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/eagles-bench-carson-wentz-whats-next-for-the-qb/
[5] NFL.com, "What's next for Carson Wentz after being benched by the Eagles?" 7 December 2020, https://www.nfl.com/news/whats-next-for-carson-wentz-after-being-benched-by-the-eagles
[6] Bleacher Report, "Carson Wentz's $128 Million Contract Suggests Eagles Haven't Given Up on QB," 8 December 2020, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2944226-carson-wentz-s-128-million-contract-suggests-eagles-haven-t-given-up-on-qb
[7] The Ringer, "The Eagles' Decision to Bench Carson Wentz Could Lead to a Difficult Offseason," 7 December 2020, https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2020/12/7/22162739/philadelphia-eagles-carson-wentz-benched-jalen-hurts-nfl-playoffs
[8] Pro Football Reference, "Carson Wentz 2020 Stats," 2020, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WentCa00/gamelog/2020/
[9] Sportskeeda, "Carson Wentz's 2020 Stats Show Career-Worst Completion Percentage, Quarterback Rating," 7 December 2020, https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-carson-wentz-s-2020-stats-show-career-worst-completion-percentage-quarterback-rating
[10] NBC Sports Philadelphia, "Jalen Hurts leads Eagles to upset win over Saints," 13 December 2020, https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/jalen-hurts-leads-eagles-upset-win-over-saints
[11] Over The Cap, "2021 NFL Salary Cap - Philadelphia Eagles," 2021, https://overthecap.com/team/philadelphia-eagles/
[12] New York Post, "Jets' Sam Darnold could be on his way out," 30 January 2021, https://nypost.com/2021/01/30/jets-sam-darnold-could-be-on-his-way-out/
[13] CBS Sports, "Jets could consider Carson Wentz if they miss on Trevor Lawrence," 28 April 2021, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jets-could-consider-carson-wentz-if-they-miss-on-trevor-lawrence/
The Eagles' drafting of Hurts in the second round has made American football fans reconsider his initial appearance as a surprise pick, as his performance has now solidified his position as the Eagles' starting quarterback [3]. This change in the starting lineup has created a buzz in the NFL, with other teams seeking to acquire his caliber of performance [4]. Despite the Eagles having awarded Wentz with a $128 million contract [6], the team's commitment to Hurts could be a signal of what lies ahead for Wentz's future in the NFL [5]. Meanwhile, the New York Jets, who may be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, might inquire about Wentz's availability if he becomes available [13].
