Calling his five years with the team “an incredible journey,” quarterback Carson Wentz said goodbye Friday to the Eagles, his former teammates and the city of Philadelphia.
Wentz posted a lengthy post to his Instagram account a day after league sources told ESPN he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2021 third-round draft pick and a 2022 second-round conditional pick that it could become a first round.
He wrote in part, “When one chapter closes, another begins.”
In Indianapolis, Wentz will meet with Colts coach Frank Reich, his former offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, and help fill the gap left by the retirement of Philip Rivers. The Eagles are likely to turn to Jalen Hurts, though they also intend to compete for him, as the initial job is not expected to automatically reach the second-year QB.
Wentz’s trade marks the end of an unexpected chapter and year with the Eagles. He went from a former MVP candidate to supporting Hurts, a rookie second-round pick in 2020, while his relationship with former Eagles coach Doug Pederson disintegrated.
Wentz wanted to leave Philadelphia, although the Eagles hired former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni as the new head coach.
Reich, who has been head coach of Indianapolis for the past three years, was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator for Wentz’s first two NFL seasons in 2016 and 17. With Reich at the helm, Wentz will take the reins of a Colts offense that ranked 10th in the NFL in total offense and ninth in scoring last season.