Philadelphia Eagles agree to trade Carson Wentz to Indianapolis Colts in exchange for second and third-round picks

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to send quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2021 third-round draft pick, and a conditional second-round pick.

Wentz will replace 17-year veteran Phillip Rivers, who announced his retirement following the Colts exit from the play-offs.

However, the trade cannot be completed until the new league year begins on March 17.

But while Rivers joined the Colts as already a future Hall of Fame candidate, his replacement does not have the same reputation.

Wentz played 12 of 16 games for Philadelphia in 2020-21 before being benched in favour of rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts in week 13 – despite having signed a four-year deal worth $128million (£91.6m) with the franchise in 2019.

Though he missed the final four games of the season; Wentz led the league in interceptions, turnovers and sacks taken, scoring 21 total touchdowns to 19 turnovers, and hitting the turf 50 times.

Before being benched for Hurts, Wentz had been substituted for current Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles in 2017 after suffering a torn ACL. That season the Eagles went on to defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII with Foles at the helm.  

In five seasons with Philly, the 2016 second overall pick tallied 16,811 passing yards and 121 total touchdowns. He managed an underwhelming 35-32-1 record, while suffering injuries each season besides his rookie year.

In Indianapolis, reunited with Frank Reich – the former Eagles offensive coordinator and current Colts head coach, Wentz will be keen to reboot his career.

As for the Eagles, they will receive two draft picks: a 2021 third and a conditional 2022 second. They will also be forced to pay out a record $33.8m (£24.2m) in dead money, while the Colts take on his contract, which is the eighth highest of any quarterback.

The second-round pick received by the Eagles has the potential to become a first-round pick – in the event that either Wentz plays at least 75 per cent of offensive snaps or at least 70 per cent and Philadelphia makes the play-offs.

At present the Eagles are set to move forward with Hurts, who has a 1-3 record as starter, and prepare for a costly rebuilding season in 2021.