Carson Wentz Trade Improves Colts’ Super Bowl Odds, Hurt Eagles’ Salary Cap

Another former Pro Bowl quarterback is on the move with major implications for the 2021 NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles are sending Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, who are thought to be a potential Super Bowl contender.

Indianapolis has agreed to trade a 2021 third-round draft pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick, ESPN reports, to Philadelphia. The second-rounder becomes a first-rounder if Wentz plays at least 75% of the Colts’ snaps.

Wentz is in line to replace Philip Rivers as Indianapolis’ starter. In his only season with the Colts, Rivers led the team to an 11-5 record and a wild-card playoff berth.

Indianapolis was one-and-done in the postseason, losing a close game to the Buffalo Bills in the first round. If Wentz can return to his old form, the Colts might have a real chance of competing in the AFC.

The Colts’ Super Bowl odds went from +2500 to +2200 at DraftKings Sportsbook, according to the Action Network, in light of the trade. Indianapolis’ odds to win the AFC South improved from +130 to +105 at PointsBet.

If a bettor wagers $100 on the Colts to win the title, an Indianapolis championship would deliver a $2,200 profit.

The Eagles spent five draft picks to acquire Carson Wentz in 2016. They gave him a $128M contract 20 months ago.

They're now taking on a cap hit in excess $33M to essentially get out of the contract and get a 2021 3rd-round pick and a 2022 2nd or 1st-rd pick.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 18, 2021

Wentz had his best season in 2017 when current Colts head coach Frank Reich was the Eagles' offensive coordinator. The quarterback was an MVP candidate before a torn ACL ended his season. Wentz led Philadelphia to the playoffs in both 2017 and 2019.

The Eagles gave Wentz a four-year, $128 million contract two years ago.

In the 2020 season, Wentz was arguably the NFL’s worst starter. He was benched in favor of Jalen Hurts, and it became clear that the two sides had to move on from one another.

Philadelphia traded Wentz in spite of the damage it will do to its salary cap. The Eagles will incur a $33.8 million dead cap because of the deal. The Colts will take on the remainder of Wentz’s contract, which runs through the 2024 season.

The Eagles finished in last place in the NFC East last season with a 4-11-1 record.