The Philadelphia Eagles were in a tough spot when they traded Carson Wentz in 2021. Moving on from a franchise quarterback isn’t easy, especially when he was once seen as the team’s future. But Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ general manager, played his cards right. What looked like a risky trade at the time turned into one of the most impactful deals in recent NFL history.
Let’s break down how this trade reshaped the franchise.
Breaking Down The Carson Wentz Trade
In February 2021, the Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. In return, they received:
- A 2021 third-round pick (No. 84 overall)
- A conditional 2022 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), which became a first-rounder after Wentz played 75% of the Colts’ snaps in 2021.
This trade set the foundation for a series of moves that would shape the Eagles’ roster for years to come.
Turning Draft Picks Into Key Players
DeVonta Smith Trade
Roseman used the 2021 third-round pick from the Carson Wentz trade to move up in the draft. The Eagles traded:
- No. 12 overall pick (their own)
- No. 84 overall pick (from the Colts)
In return, they moved up to No. 10 and selected wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Smith has since become one of the best receivers in Eagles history, recording over 4,000 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in his first four seasons.
Flipping Picks With The Saints
Roseman made another big move with the 2022 first-round pick from the Carson Wentz trade (No. 16). He traded it, along with No. 19 and No. 194 (from the Matt Pryor trade), to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for:
- 2022 first-round pick (No. 18)
- 2022 third-round pick (No. 101)
- 2022 seventh-round pick (No. 237)
- 2023 first-round pick
- 2024 second-round pick
This move gave the Eagles key future assets.
A.J. Brown Trade
Roseman used the No. 18 pick (from the Saints) and No. 101 (third-round pick) to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. Brown has since put up back-to-back record-breaking seasons and signed a lucrative contract extension.
Landing Jalen Carter
The 2023 first-round pick from the Saints (No. 10) was then used to trade up one spot and select Jalen Carter, who has quickly become one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles.
Adding Cooper DeJean
The Eagles also used the 2024 second-round pick from the Saints (No. 50) to trade up and select Cooper DeJean, a standout defensive back who made an immediate impact in his rookie season.
What Did The Colts And Saints Get?
While the Eagles turned the Carson Wentz trade into a roster of Super Bowl caliber, the Colts and Saints didn’t fare as well.
Colts’ Return
- Traded Wentz to the Washington Commanders after one season
- Used the picks from Wentz to draft Alec Pierce, Jelani Woods, Bernhard Raimann, and Andrew Ogletree
The Colts failed to find a long-term quarterback solution and didn’t gain much from the trade.
Saints’ Return
- Used No. 11 pick to select Chris Olave
- Drafted Trevor Penning and Jordan Jackson with the other picks
Olave has been productive, but Penning has struggled, making the cost questionable.
Philadelphia Eagles Won Big
By trading Carson Wentz, the Philadelphia Eagles secured star players like DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Jalen Carter, and Cooper DeJean. The Colts had little value, and the Saints gave up key assets for minimal return.
Howie Roseman’s Wentz trade was a masterclass in asset management, setting the Eagles up for sustained success. This deal wasn’t just a smart move- it was franchise-altering.
