Carson Wentz is not interested in being a backup quarterback and would like to move beyond the Eagles if the current situation – with Jalen Hurts starting below center – continues in Philadelphia, sources associated with the team tell ESPN .
While the Eagles’ quarterback situation remains fluid with three games to go this season, sources say Wentz is unhappy with the way events have played out in the organization.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson hasn’t stated whether the quarterback switch is permanent – he’s just going as far as announcing Hurts as the starter for Sunday, but player and team sources last weekend told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that Hurts will remain the starter this season .
Philadelphia’s decision to put Wentz on the bench for Hurts has caught the attention of other teams around the NFL, some of which are expected to inquire about Wentz’s availability in a trade, according to sources.
The Eagles (4-8-1), a longshot to win the NFC East but still in the fray, will begin their final three-game stretch against the Cardinals on Sunday, when Hurts will make his second straight start instead of Wentz. The rookie led Philadelphia to an upset victory over New Orleans last Sunday, and could make the Philadelphia quarterback’s decision even more difficult if he continues to play well.
The Eagles selected Hurts with their second round pick in this year’s draft and gradually worked him into their offense, initially using him below center in limited special packs before finally giving him the full-time job – putting Wentz on the bench – in week 13 against the Packers.
Hurts played well at Green Bay, but was even better against New Orleans last week, passing for 167 yards and a touchdown while running 18 times for 106 yards. He took no sacks and flipped the ball once as he became the fifth Eagles quarterback to rush for 100 yards in the Super Bowl era.
After initially saying he wasn’t sure who would start on Sunday, Pederson announced last Monday that Hurts would remain the starter against Arizona.
Team sources told ESPN earlier this month that the Eagles plan to keep Wentz despite his season-long struggles and want him to be a big part of their team in the future.
But if the Eagles do eventually decide to leave Wentz, they have to make that decision by the second day of the 2021 league year – sometime in the middle of March – because on the third day of the league year, his $ 22 million base salary for 2022 will be fully guaranteed and his 2021 roster bonus of $ 10 million will also be paid.