As the Eagles turn to rookie Jalen Hurts in Week 14, might Carson Wentz become the New England Patriots' next reclamation project?
That depends on whether Philadelphia is willing to cut ties with the veteran quarterback.
The Eagles "still believe" in Wentz and have "every intention" of keeping the QB to have him be a "major part of their team," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE "None of this changes the belief that people have in Carson," a source told Schefter after Philly announced that Hurts would make his first NFL start his weekend against the New Orleans Saints in place of Wentz.
Perry: Does acquiring Wentz make any sense for the Pats?
Wentz has had a disastrous fifth season in Philly, completing a career-low 57.4% of his passes with a career-high 16 interceptions while posting a 3-8-1 record as the Eagles' starter.
Aside from a Pro Bowl campaign in 2017, the 27-year-old hasn't lived up to expectations as Philly's QB of the future after the team took him No. 2 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
New England Patriots
Find the latest New England Patriots news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Our Phil Perry recently weighed the pros and cons of the Patriots pursuing Wentz, who would carry a $25.4 million cap hit in 2021 and a $22 million cap hit in 2022. If New England doesn't want to re-up with Cam Newton after an up-and-down 2020 campaign, it may pursue a veteran arm via free agency or trade, and perhaps Wentz would benefit from a change in scenery.
Schefter reports the Eagles still believe Wentz can be "the standout quarterback he once was," although they could just be trying to drive up Wentz's value for a potential trade.
If Philly trades Wentz, his new team would take on his $25.4 million salary for 2021, whereas the Eagles would be on the hook for Wentz's money if they release him outright next offseason.
Wentz's value couldn't be lower at the moment: He's the NFL's eighth-highest paid QB (per Spotrac) who's currently riding pine behind a rookie. We'll find out this offseason if the Eagles stay true to their word and keep Wentz -- or strike a deal with a bargain-hunting club.