Obsessive Carson Wentz Watch: And Here Comes Negotiations Through the Media

For a brief moment over the weekend, the football world seemed to believe that a Carson Wentz trade was going down almost immediately following the Super Bowl. In some corners, there was a thought it could happen as early as today (and, hey, it’s still early … there’s still plenty of time to get a deal done). However, I’m starting to think it’s not coming as soon as previously expected.

So what’s the hold up? Perception in trade compensation:

Report: Eagles don't feel they've received a fair offer for Carson Wentz https://t.co/LRWHTPcnT5

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 9, 2021

The Wentz trade scenario with the Eagles is no longer about "how good" the player is. It is a negotiation; no more and no less. Eagles seem to have modest options that they'd like to improve; we'll see which side blinks first.

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) February 9, 2021

There are conflicting reports on compensation, but what doesn't seem to be up for debate is that the multiple teams are interested in Carson Wentz. That is what really matters. That will turn into a good return (a 1st) #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) February 9, 2021

If Philly is waiting for a fair deal, perhaps they should check their DMs.

Because it sounds like there are offers out there, albeit not ones that the Eagles are ready to run to the window with and cash in. In fact, it’s beginning to sound like the Eagles are looking for a heist. And to this point, they aren’t getting it. From a Bears perspective, this feels like a good thing. Previously, there was a fear that GM Ryan Pace might push all his chips to the table for Wentz. And it’s understandable. I mean … have you seen some of the deals Pace has on his record? However, it could be a sign that Pace isn’t willing to risk it all for Wentz if a deal is taking this long to come together. This is what negotiations can look like when one side stands firm. Or as Pace might try to frame it, acts with conviction.

Meanwhile, this snippet from SI.com’s Albert Breer on the David Kaplan and Jonathan Hood Show on Chicago’s ESPN-1000 ties everything together nicely:

What are the chances the #Bears get Wentz? ⁦@AlbertBreer⁩ with the latest: pic.twitter.com/9Ud2f4KVJb

— Kap and J Hood (@kapjhood) February 9, 2021

 

Clearly, Eagles GM Howie Roseman saw the Lions’ return for Stafford and thought pushing Wentz onto the market would immediately net him a similar return. But because it hasn’t, this leave Roseman pivoting. And perhaps it’s what has led to what we’re seeing now with public negotiations. Roseman is revered as this highly touted negotiator, but it appears as if he has overplayed his hand. And if you’re running the Bears or Colts, you’d be foolish not to use this to your advantage.

Sorting through the madness, it’s wild to think about how Roseman must’ve really thought that making Wentz available after Stafford moved would get him a desirable return. And, hey, you can’t get what you don’t ask for. So in that vein, I can appreciate Roseman’s moxie. But maybe he should’ve taken into consideration how different Wentz and Stafford are as players before believing he would get similar compensation for one after seeing the other leave in a deal. Because, if he didn’t, that could be a significant misstep. One that could trip up this entire process.