Packers: Carson Wentz could be on his way to NFC North
Big quarterback changes in the NFC North could continue. The Green Bay Packers will no longer face Matthew Stafford twice a year after the Detroit Lions traded him away this offseason and brought in Jared Goff.
Now Carson Wentz could be joining Goff in the NFC North this offseason.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that he believes the Bears are the frontrunners for Wentz in a potential trade.
This would be a big risk for the Bears, but it’s understandable why they have a sense of urgency.
Chicago’s defense is still very talented. The group ranked 11th overall this past season and received little help from the offense. By fixing the QB situation, the hope for the Bears would be that they could bounce back into contention.
General manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy understand they need to win now. Another losing season and the Bears might start over. The pressure is on to make the necessary improvements to the roster, most notably at quarterback.
The real question is whether Wentz would be the answer.
If he gets back to his best, it’s a big yes. Wentz was in the MVP conversation back in 2017 as he led the Eagles offense with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games before suffering a torn ACL. Philadelphia would win the Super Bowl with Nick Foles filling in for Wentz, while Wentz was named a second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl.
Wentz was solid in 2018 and ’19 with a combined 48 touchdowns to 14 interceptions but never got back to his ’17 best.
This past season, Wentz struggled. He threw for just 16 touchdowns with 15 interceptions in 12 games. He was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts in the Eagles’ loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. Part of it could be down to an offensive line that struggled all year long with Wentz being sacked 50 times.
If the Bears do trade for Wentz, they’re going all-in and taking a risk. Wentz is under contract for four more seasons and the Bears would be taking on big cap hits in the hope he can rediscover his previous form and make them Super Bowl contenders.
But if his 2020 season was a sign of what’s to come, this move would quickly backfire and the Bears would enter a painful rebuild.
The Packers should just be pleased league-MVP Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback.
With Goff replacing Stafford in the NFC North already, it’s possible Wentz will soon be Chicago’s new starter over Mitch Trubisky and, wait for it, Nick Foles.
Packers fans, what would your thoughts be on Wentz being traded to the Bears? A concern for the Packers or yet another quarterback mistake by the Bears?