It’s safe to say Eagles fans are feeling pretty good about the Carson Wentz trade right now.
Wentz had a chance to lead the Colts to a playoff spot in Week 18. All he had to do was win against the Jaguars, who started the week with the worst record in the NFL at 2-14.
However, Wentz was unable to lead the team to victory. The Jaguars surprised the Colts, earning a 26-11 victory during which they were never at a disadvantage. Wentz had a difficult outing, completing 17 of 29 passes for 185 yards, a touchdown and two turnovers (an interception and a fumble). He led Indy by just three points in his first eight series.
Due to the Indianapolis loss and the Steelers’ victory over the Ravens, the Colts were eliminated from playoff contention. Eagles fans found this quite funny and also lucky. Why? Because the first-round pick the Eagles acquired in the Wentz trade is now set to be a top 18 pick.
Philadelphia supporters and members of the media took time to praise the Eagles for the trade after the Colts’ embarrassing loss. In particular, the differences between Wentz and Jalen Hurts were highlighted along with the compensation the Eagles and Howie Roseman received in exchange for mediocre quarterbacks.
The best money the Eagles spent this year was for Carson Wentz to play for someone else.
– Spike Eskin (@SpikeEskin) January 9, 2022
Eagles got first-round picks for Sam Bradford and Carson Wentz
—Jonny Heller (@JonnyHeller) January 9, 2022
Carson Wentz took an 11-5 #Falts team and led them to 9-7.
Jalen Hurts took a 4-11-1 #Eagles team and led them to 9-7.
There are levels.
—James Nagle (@NagleNFL) January 4, 2022
The Colts not only lost, they were wiped out … by a team that lost 50-10 last week. And now they have to give the Eagles their first round! I officially declare that this is THE GAME OF WENTZ.
—Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 9, 2022
The Colts failed to secure a playoff spot against a 2-win Jaguars team and still gave up a first-round pick to the Eagles heading to the playoffs for Carson Wentz. Incredible.
– Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) January 9, 2022
Eagles Charges 2021 QB Cap.
Gardner Minshew: $ 850,000
Jalen hurts: $ 1.3 million
Carson Wentz: $ 34 million.– Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) January 9, 2022
Carson Wentz is being sent home by the worst team in the league.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts got a bye week and is gearing up for his playoff game next week.
Howie Roseman deserves an apology …
—Kendall Beck (@KBeckEagles) January 9, 2022
Did the Colts miss the playoffs, lose their first round, and now carry Wentz’s contract while the Eagles made the playoffs? Outstanding
– Allen Ivermectin (@ FanSince09) January 9, 2022
Eagles fans certainly have reason to celebrate. Wentz did not regain his former form under Reich as the Colts hoped. He proved to be solid at times, but ultimately sputtered when it mattered in the last two games of the season.
Meanwhile, Hurts and Eagles finished the year 4-1 in their last five games. Their only loss came in Week 18 when they rested their starters against Dallas after clinching a playoff spot.
Hurts looks like a better quarterback than Wentz at the moment, so the Eagles were able to start with their preferred quarterback and get an additional first-round pick by trading Wentz. Philadelphia now has three first-round picks overall: theirs, the Colts and the Dolphins, which could help the team quickly become a Super Bowl contender under Nick Sirianni’s leadership.