The NFL’s new league year doesn’t start until next Wednesday, and already we have seen two big-name quarterbacks change teams.
The moves aren’t official until next week, but the Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to Denver and the Colts trading Carson Wentz to Washington show how highly the Eagles regard Jalen Hurts.
Both Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have been clear in that assessment ever since last season ended, when both said they’re moving forward with Hurts as the quarterback for 2022.
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“I think when you talk about all the things we talked about at the end of the season, nothing has changed,” Roseman said last week at the NFL scouting combine.
Still, there were always the questions about whether Hurts can be the Eagles’ franchise quarterback.
And sure, it’s possible that the Eagles could still trade for Deshaun Watson, who is facing 22 civil suits for sexual misconduct, not to mention an NFL suspension.
But to get Wilson, the Broncos gave up two first-round picks and two second-round picks, plus QB Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive end Shelby Harris.
What will it cost for the Eagles to get Watson?
Let’s start with Wentz
A year ago, Hurts went into the offseason with only 4 1/2 games of experience after Wentz was benched for the final month of the 2020 season.
But the Eagles were willing to cut their losses with Wentz, even if it meant a record $34.7 million salary cap hit for him to play elsewhere last season.
The downfall began when Wentz bristled at the Eagles drafting Hurts in the second round in 2020. It continued towards the end of that season when Wentz let it be known that he wanted to be traded.
And then it got worse
So the Eagles traded Wentz to the Colts, who are coached by Frank Reich, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in 2017 when Wentz had his best season of his career – until he tore his ACL.
Reich admitted last week, at the Combine, that he “stuck my neck out” in pushing for the deal, believing that he could resurrect Wentz’s career.
And Reich did, if you’re just looking at the stats. Wentz threw 27 touchdown passes against just 7 interceptions in 2021, or similar to what he did with the Eagles in each season from 2017-19. Wentz also had a respectable 94.6 passer rating.
The Colts still didn’t want him back, even though they don’t have a replacement in place, and even though they’re going with a fifth different starting QB in five years when the 2022 season begins.
And they don’t have a first-round pick to draft one.
The Colts traded that pick to the Eagles for (wait for it) Wentz.
There are plenty of reasons the Colts are moving on, beginning with losing the last two games when they only needed to win one in order to make the playoffs. The finale was a humiliating 26-11 loss to a Jacksonville team that finished 3-14.
Wentz also refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. That could have had a negative effect on his teammates, too, especially when he contracted the virus towards the end of the season.
Over the last two games, Wentz completed just 58.9% of his passes, averaged 166.5 yards passing per game, and had a rating of 80.4.
And all the Colts got in return for trading him to Washington was moving up five spots in the second round, and two third-round picks.
Sure, Hurts only completed 61.3% of his passes, which has to improve. But he’s just 23 years old, so that’s certainly possible. Wentz completed 62.4% of his passes. But this was Wentz’s sixth NFL season, and his career percentage is 62.6%, so he’s probably not getting any better.
Hurts also led NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards with 784, and he also had 10 TDs on the ground. Combine that with his 16 touchdowns throwing against 9 INTs, and his totals of 26 TDs against 9 interceptions is comparable in every way to Wentz.
You can also make a case that Hurts’ potential was why the Eagles weren’t getting Wilson, either.
Sure, it’s possible that Wilson, who has a no-trade clause, wasn’t coming after he said last week on NBC’s “Today” show that he preferred playing out west.
Still, Washington reportedly offered three first-round picks for Wilson, and the Eagles certainly had the draft and player capital to outbid both the Commanders and Broncos.
After all, the Eagles have three first-round picks this year, plus they could have offered left tackle Andre Dillard and another player.
Instead, the Eagles kept the flexibility with the draft picks, along with the salary cap space to improve multiple positions.
That will be evident when the Eagles’ make the Colts’ pick at No. 16, presumably for a defensive end, They already used the third-round pick last year from the Colts to move up two spots for DeVonta Smith.
And finally…
The Eagles will have even more flexibility when Kelce makes his return official, which should be soon.
Kelce went on SportsRadio 94WIP on Wednesday morning and continued to drop hints about playing a 12th season.
“I’m playing until I’m not,” Kelce said. “I’m an active player for the Philadelphia Eagles right now. I love my teammates. I love playing in the city. When it’s time to step away, I’ll make that abundantly clear.”
Think about it. Kelce is 34 years old. He’s already won a Super Bowl, played through countless nagging injuries. He has made a ton of money. He could easily retire and no one would bat an eye.
So what does it say about Hurts that Kelce will likely return?
Just to make sure, “Nick from South Philly” called in to beg Kelce to return.
That was really Sirianni, who last week said he had a keg of beer delivered to Kelce’s house. Kelce confirmed receipt on the radio show.
Then offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland called in to see if he can top Sirianni’s gift.
But really, all it should take is a contract restructure for Kelce to return. That will likely lower Kelce’s salary cap hit for 2022 and 2023, while giving him some additional years of guaranteed money.
With Kelce back, coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season, the Eagles will return a dominant offensive line.
Wentz, meanwhile, is on his third team in three seasons. He will face the Eagles twice next season, no doubt wishing he could play behind a line like the Eagles’ that’s expected to provide protection for Hurts, not to mention lanes to run through.
And maybe Wentz’s new teammates will respect him the way the Eagles respect Hurts.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
