Wentz era in Philly is over
PHILADELPHIA — Carson Wentz helped steer the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title and later received the richest contract in team history. He’s heading out before that deal even kicked in. The Eagles have agreed to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal. Philadelphia receives a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and a conditional second-round pick in 2022 that can turn into a first-rounder if Wentz plays 75% of the snaps this year or 70% and the Colts make the playoffs. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal hadn’t been announced. The former No. 2 pick is coming off the worst of his five professional seasons and was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts after 12 games last year. Wentz finished third in league MVP voting in the 2017 season, when he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record before a knee injury ended his season and the team went on to win the Super Bowl with backup Nick Foles. The deal reunites Wentz with Colts coach Frank Reich, who was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator in 2016-17.
› ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have cleared almost $11 million in cap space by releasing two defensive veterans: safety Ricardo Allen and end Allen Bailey. According to Spotrac, the team cleared $6.25 million by releasing Allen, a four-time team captain, and another $4.5 million by cutting Bailey. The Falcons also waived quarterback
Kurt Benkert, who spent the 2020 season on the Falcons’ practice squad. There may be more cost-cutting moves ahead for the Falcons, who rank near the bottom of the NFL in salary cap space and have new leadership with coach Arthur Smith, the former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator, and general manager Terry Fontenot, the former longtime New Orleans Saints executive.