A Carson Wentz trade complicates all other QB trades in 2021 offseason

Depending on the price for what Carson Wentz is moved, other teams could be in trouble when it comes to making deals. 

Nick Sirianni or not, the Carson Wentz trade season is alive and well. How alive? Simple. A deal is almost done.

According to multiple reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles are expected to trade Wentz in the coming days in what would be the latest blockbuster deal of the 2021 season.

Wentz reuniting with Frank Reich in Indianapolis might answer the question of if his 2017 MVP form was a one-year-wonder and stable in the right system. However, it won’t be an easy price for Chris Ballard to swing a deal.

Multiple reports are inclined to believe that the Eagles would want a “Matthew Stafford type trade” to part ways with the No.2 selection. That means at least two first-round picks would have to head to Philadelphia.

Wentz’s numbers already do not merit a first-round selection, let alone two. However, the Eagles will be forced to eat $34 million in cap space just to have him play on a different roster. They’ll want the top dollar to make up for the money owed to a player done in their uniform.

For any team that needs a stable quarterback, pay attention to the Wentz trade. That might be the indicating point on what a legitimate option under center will cost this offseason.

Wentz’s trade deal could reset the market for trading quarterbacks 

Several quarterbacks remain on the market for the 2021 offseason via trade. Although raw, Sam Darnold’s age and lack of injury concerns offer a much broader upside than that of Wentz.

The 23-year-old could need a fresh start after three seasons with the Jets. His confidence was all but shot when working with Adam Gase the past two seasons, finishing the year with a 2-10 record and a career-low in touchdowns (9) and yards per attempted pass (6.1).

Most times, a quarterback on a down season would likely cost a mid-round selection, especially heading into a contract year. However, should Wentz land for two firsts, that will drive up Darnold’s price for at least one first-round pick this draft season.

The same goes for Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson. Multiple reports indicated that following the Stafford trade, the asking price for the 26-year-old went up. Outside of a torn ACL his rookie season, Watson has been a staple of a productive passer under center.

Should Wentz garner multiple first-round picks after a down year, what does Watson get after a record-breaking one? Six first-rounders? Seven? More than that, who is willing to set the franchise back that far?

Wentz’s trade will cost a team a hefty dollar in terms of future draft capital. It also will have teams evaluating if they are content with their quarterback situation or if they should trade for a proven starter.

Even trading up in April’s draft now becomes a hard sell since quarterback-needy teams will want a four-year salary control over a cheaper option.

If and when the trade for Wentz is finalized, this will reset the new market for any team looking for a signal-caller. Thanks to Howie Roseman and Les Snead, every general manager can only have one thing to say heading into the uncharted offseason.

Goodluck.