By Sean Gannon

Trade rumors had been circling Carson Wentz for a few weeks now, reports saying both the Bears and the Colts were interested in his talent. Today, the Colts made the trade official sending a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick to the Eagles. The condition being, if Wentz plays in 75% or more of the Colts offensive snaps, that second-round pick becomes a first-round pick. This was not the trade that everyone was expecting; reports had been coming out that Philadelphia was looking for a “Stafford-type deal” IE two firsts and a third. This falls well short of that. In fact, it’s tough to see the Eagles or the Colts as having “won” this deal overall.

Philadelphia got the minimum for Wentz, which is not what they were hoping for, and although they unloaded a ton of cap for the future, the Eagles are eating 33.8 million dollars in dead cap just for Wentz in 2021. That’s an NFL dead cap record. While they did get a POTENTIAL first-round pick, based on the Colts’ roster and their success last year, the best-case scenario is that the first-round pick in 2022 will be 17^th overall or later. Assuming that Wentz is healthy or isn’t benched two-thirds of the way through the season. Not exactly the best return for what was once their star franchise player. Philly also got no player assets in that trade, like a young wide receiver or any defensive help. They got minimum draft capital.

On the flip, the Colts give up next to nothing and reunite Carson Wentz with his former offensive coordinator (Frank Reich) from the 2017 season in which many thought Wentz was the MVP until his knee injury. This bodes well for Wentz; after the injury, his play declined, and the hope is Reich can bring him back to that former MVP caliber player. The trade also fills a missing position for the Colts now that Phillip Rivers has officially retired. The Colts retain their 2021 first-round draft pick allowing them to get a young wide receiver, edge rusher, or offensive line. The massive downside to this trade for the Colts is the cap hit Wentz brings to the team and his recent production. Wentz had a league-leading 19 turnovers; 15 of them intercepted, all while throwing for 16 touchdowns, 2,620 yards, and completing only 57.4% of his passes. Making his completion percentage second-worst in the league only in front of Drew Lock (57.3%). Then Wentz was benched in Week 13 in favor of rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. On top of all that, Wentz’s cap hit in 2021 is 25.1 million, 22 million in 2022, 25 million in 2023, and 26 million in 2024. These are massive cap hits for a player who, sadly, has not lived up to this contract. It could also limit the Colts paying all-world guard Quenton Nelson and all-pro Darius Leonard to their much-deserved massive contracts this offseason or next.

The Colts are banking heavily on Wentz’s success, not something that many, including the Eagles, feel comfortable doing. Only time will tell who officially won this trade; if you had to pick right now, I think you have to go with the Colts.