While the Eagles haven’t actually traded any players or made any personnel moves over the last couple of weeks, there has been no shortage of rumors. Shortly before the Super Bowl, there was a report that the team was fielding offers for quarterback Carson Wentz and that a deal was expected soon. Nearly two weeks later, Wentz is still on the team.
Wentz has been linked to both the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears in recent days, but no deal is reportedly imminent. In the meantime, the names of tight end Zach Ertz and even tackle Andre Dillard have popped up in trade rumors. And while Ertz is entering the final year of his deal and has been rumored to be likely on his way out for several months now, Dillard is still on his rookie contract and is under team control for three more seasons.
Here is what they’re saying about the Eagles around the beat.
Eagles Have Talked to Seahawks, Colts about Trade for Zach Ertz (Ed Kracz, SI.com)
The Eagles have been exploring a deal for their Pro Bowl tight end for many months, though maybe some of that exploration has been put on the back burner, because of, well, you know, the quarterback taking front and center.
An NFL source said that the Eagles have had conversations about Ertz with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts.
Prior to last season’s trade deadline, the Eagles had offers from the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers, but Ertz suffered a high ankle sprain and landed on Injured Reserve, virtually assuring he would finish his eighth season in Philly.
Why radio silence on Carson Wentz? (Mike Kaye, NJ.com)
Kaye: I think the trade market naturally ebbs and flows like this, especially after initial offers. Remember, the Eagles don’t need to trade Wentz until March 18, so staying firm and selling that they are willing to keep him is the only leverage they have at this point. Silence and anxiety create panic, which in turn, creates results.
The sense I get is that the league, the Bears and the Colts thought this deal would come together quickly. Howie Roseman considered offers and then decided to hold out for more value, which, based on the reported offers is probably in his best interest (for now, but not much longer).
The Eagles have overvalued Wentz’s market and holding out too long will only hurt their leverage. My understanding is Chicago and Indianapolis both have cheaper backup plans.
Jalen Hurts (not Carson Wentz) will gather Eagles receivers for workouts (Mike Florio, PFT)
John Clark of NBC Sports Philly-delphia recently reported that “a group of the Eagles young receivers” plan to work out with quarterback Jalen Hurt in Texas, at some point in the next month.
No similar reports have surfaced regarding Wentz. Presumably, that’s because Wentz still wants out and because momentum has pointed in the direction of a trade for a while now.
Report: Colts believe they can ‘build around’ QB Carson Wentz if he’s traded (Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire)
The Colts are the rumored frontrunners to land Carson Wentz in a trade and one veteran NFL insider is reporting that Frank Reich is the reason.
Adam Caplan told Coast to Coast that his sources are relaying information that the Colts head coach believes he can “build around” Carson Wentz if he’s acquired via trade.
Eagles expected to cut or trade former Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, possibly in Carson Wentz deal, per report
As the NFL patiently awaits an anticipated Carson Wentz trade , the Philadelphia Eagles are soon expected to part ways with another franchise icon. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz is “bracing for a change of scenery via trade or release,” perhaps even as part of a package deal involving Wentz . The 30-year-old Ertz gave a tearful address to Philly media at the end of the 2020 season, admitting then that he wasn’t sure of his future with the team. It now appears he was, in fact, issuing an early farewell.
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Mike Maher is the editor and publisher of The Birds Blitz. Follow him on Twitter @mikeMaher and @TheBirdsBlitz and check out his archive for all of his latest stories about the Eagles and the NFL.
