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Matt Ludtke / Associated Press
The relationship between Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles is reportedly “fractured” and the quarterback will ask for a trade in the offseason rather than competing with Jalen Hurts for the starting position ahead of the 2021 NFL season.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported the following update on NFL Countdown Sunday ahead of the Eagles regular season finale against the Washington soccer team:
“His relationship with the Eagles is almost broken. In fact, he’s fractured. Wentz is expected to ask the Eagles for a trade and will help the Eagles facilitate a trade. The reaction of owner Jeffrey Lurie will be vital to this one, but for now, Wentz clearly wants to get out of Philadelphia and make a fresh start elsewhere.“
Wentz struggled before being replaced in the roster by Hurts ahead of the team’s Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints. He completed a career low of 57.4% of his throws for 2,620 yards with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 games.
The 28-year-old ranks 28th in ESPN Total QBR (49.4) and 34th overall (72.8) before the last week of the regular season. That’s a big drop in the game from the previous three years, when he combined to throw 81 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 40 appearances.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson had little choice but to give Hurts, a second-round pick in 2020, a chance to kick off the offense during the extended run of the campaign. While the 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist was mostly a success, totaling six touchdowns (five assists and one on the ground) over the past three weeks, it wasn’t enough to change the Eagles’ fortunes. They were eliminated from the playoffs following their loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16.
At the end of December, Pederson praised Wentz for the way he handled the change in quarterback.
“Look, that’s something I really appreciate about Carson how he handled this,” he told reporters. “He doesn’t want to be a distraction for the team. He wants to help the team win. That’s the main thing. We don’t let that kind of thing creep into our minds and try to prevent it from happening. go into the locker room. so that won’t divide your team. “
However, it doesn’t appear that Wentz is interested in an extended battle with Wentz for the top spot on the depth table in Philadelphia.
ESPN Adam schefter previously reported, the 2017 Pro Bowl selection is “not happy with the way events have unfolded in the organization” and would like to “move on” if received for a replacement role.
While there would likely be some basic interest in Wentz in the commercial market due to his past success, his contractual situation could make it difficult for all parties involved, as well as the Eagles.
A trade after June 1 would create $ 25.4 million additional cap space for Philly in 2021, but leave a hit-cap of $ 24.5 million for 2022, per Spotrac. Meanwhile, his four-year, $ 128 million contract runs through 2024 with caps ranging from $ 31.3 million to $ 34.7 million, a problem for the acquiring team.
In turn, Wentz may have to agree to a substantial restructuring of the contract to fit a trade.
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