Joining us now is Adam Caplan, NFL Insider who is on SiriusXM and 97.5 The Fanatic in Philly. You were on this thing long before the trade went down with Carson Wentz and the Colts. You saw this coming. I know you are a Philly guy, but who got the best in this?
'We are not going to know until we get past the season. Look at it this way, if Carson Wentz plays three quarters as well as he did in 2017 when he was the NFL's MVP to a degree before he got hurt – before he suffered an ACL injury against the Rams – then this is a heck of a trade by Chris Ballard and obviously Frank Reich, who was the one who really was the impetus for this. Of course, Chris (Ballard) has personnel control. Chris (Ballard) can do whatever he wants, but the reason why this trade was in the works was because Frank (Reich) and Chris (Ballard) were in agreement that this was something they wanted to explore. Frank (Reich) was the one who coached him as the offensive coordinator in '17. It's their hope that they are going to get Carson (Wentz) rolling here. He gets out of Philly, where he wanted out and hopefully Carson gets a little bit of a rebirth here with the Colts."
What is going on in Philly? I just have to ask, it is a bit of a fire there.
"So what happened here – the reason why I was so bullish on the Colts really from the beginning and even more so in the last couple weeks is that the series of issues that happened, players took shots at him over the years behind his back, some went to some media sources. Someone took a shot at him during the season that was reported by NFL Network's Michael Silver. An interesting report about questioning Carson Wentz's work ethic, (Carson) Wentz had to answer that question. He was asked about that report during a press conference. The former head coach, Doug Pederson, is not a secret, I and others reported that their relationship soured significantly, who obviously Frank Reich worked for. But there was something going on with the two of them and before (Carson) Wentz got benched, (Doug) Pederson was asked about on a Wednesday – which as you know for a Sunday game is the first day of preparation for the week – about will Carson (Wentz) still be your starter and he said, 'Oh yeah, sure, today he is.' A comment like that does not sit well with a veteran quarterback like Carson Wentz. They drafted Jalen Hurts. If you add up everything, you could add 10-12 things together at least and you go, 'Boy, I can see why (Carson) Wentz wants out and that's where we are at."
How much did Jalen Hurts speed this process up? If Jalen Hurts couldn't play or couldn't play at a high level, do you think this deal would have gotten done where Carson Wentz is on the move to the Colts?
"No, I don't think it would have matter. I just think that – Jalen Hurts is not guaranteed he will be the starter. Most likely he will be in 2021. I do a show called 'Inside the Birds' which you can – Colts fans, by the way, you can hear on any podcasting platform. We talked about Hurts' future and we talked about not only the trade but what's all in store for Jalen Hurts and that quarterback position with the Eagles. Right now, they will go forward with Hurts, they think he is the starter. I expect them to add a quarterback who may or may not be competition for Hurts. The Eagles, they can't really comment on it obviously because the trade can't be official until March 17th and also by the way, (Carson) Wentz has to pass the physical which should not be an issue. That is a team, now because they traded their franchise quarterback and they drafted Jalen Hurts – Jalen Hurts was not a first-round pick. Jalen Hurts was not a guy that a lot of teams saw going in the second round. I talked to some teams that had a third-round pick on a third-round grade, some had a fourth-round grade. Eagles really liked him and now we're going to get a chance to see him."
Do you think Carson Wentz is capable of bouncing back with the Colts after a 2020 season that he would obviously like to forget?
"Yeah, he definitely is. With Frank Reich and Marcus Brady, who I know the Colts are super excited about with his promotion as the offensive coordinator, Scott Milanovich, who has worked with quarterbacks. You might remember Scott as a player. I think they have a pretty good set up there but the way that it was explained to me is if you're going to coach Carson Wentz, you must rebuild his mechanics. It starts from the ground up and also you have to get his head right. Getting out of Philly might help. You have to rebuild his confidence, but the mechanics which were atrocious last season they have to be rebuilt. The thing that Carson Wentz is he is very competitive. He is a Type A. I know he was benched, we know that, but I think getting out of Philly is going to help him but, in the end, Frank Reich is putting a stamp on this one. This is a Frank Reich operation here as the head coach and the play caller and his coaches have to get Carson Wentz righted and that's going to take some work."
What specifically mechanically needs to be fixed?
"His footwork was off really bad. Two teams told me that when they looked at (Carson) Wentz during the process, just in terms – everyone knew he was available. When a quarterback like that is available, you want to take a look at it. Footwork, release point, didn't get his feet set – you'll watch this if you watch any coaching tape, they were too spread apart. It caused the ball to sail. Balance wasn't great. He just doesn't look like the same quarterback and Frank Reich knows Carson, he coached him for two years, he knows what he's capable of doing and I'm sure they will work on that. That's a big thing that they have to do going forward."
When you bring a quarterback in, especially a high-priced quarterback into a locker room like the Colts that have had a taste of success, the leadership comes in. Does Carson Wentz have that quality where he can take over that locker room and men get behind him?
"Yeah, look, he's a high character guy. He's a Type A, just a different guy, there is nothing wrong with him. He does everything well off the field, very good with charity. In terms of being a teammate, he's a good, decent, solid teammate. I think what happened over the years with (Carson) Wentz is the Eagles locker room, which was phenomenal in '16 and '17 for his first two years, I think the locker room changed. The Eagles, by the way, they are going to get significantly younger. I would say the locker room chemistry was not great for Wentz and other players over the last couple of years where it was terrific in '16 and '17. I just think it's a situation where – and I'm looking at the character of the players that the Colts have built by Chris Ballard and his personnel staff, it's going to be a better situation. The good thing is here if this all works out, Carson turns 29, that's not old. He turns 29 in December. He can build a relationship with (Michael) Pittman Jr. with Parris Campbell and their other receivers and Jonathan Taylor at running back and this great offensive line. That's another thing – one of the other reasons why he struggled was their offensive line had, I think, 14 different line changes, so you can't have that. Whereas we know the continuity with the Colts is terrific on the offensive line."
I've talked to a quarterback coach in the league for an opposing team who describes Carson Wentz as 'Andrew Luck liked' with what he does with his arm strength, his speed. Is that a fair comparison as far as when he is on?
"Yes, he has elite talent but everything else could be questioned. As far as the media, I'm probably one of his biggest fans but my job is to be fair and call it down he middle. He just needs to be rebuilt and there is no denying it because the tape shows it. People I trust around the NFL have told me this, so I'm basically repeating what they have told me and with my own eyes, but if (Frank) Reich can do it, this to me is a deep, deep playoff run type of team because (Chris) Ballard has built such a great roster. Kudos to Ballard and Ed Dodds, his right-hand man and the personnel staff for really putting together a very good roster. You guys are in good hands there with Chris Ballard and Frank Reich. Really, there is no – both sides of the football, it's not just one side. But have to help the quarterback and I look forward to seeing what they do with him."
Look back at the best images of new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Sam Bradford (7), Chase Daniel (10), and Carson Wentz (11) during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes questions from the media following practice at NFL football training camp, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, left, shares a laugh with quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, right, during practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz stretches during practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, left, talks with ABC 6 Sports reporter Jeff Skversky, right, during practice at NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz signs autographs for the fans following practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 31, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz signs autographs for fans following practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes questions from reporters following practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) stretches during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
In this Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) and quarterback Chase Daniel (10) warmup during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia. NFL players get to show off their creativity, custom cleats and causes this weekend. The league's "My Cleats, My Cause" campaign features more than 500 players wearing colorful cleats to spotlight various causes. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz passes during practice before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz speaks with members of the media during an NFL football practice in Philadelphia, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Injures Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) talks with offensive coordinator Frank Reich, right, during a practice for the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, in Minneapolis. Philadelphia is scheduled to face the New England Patriots Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz talks to the media prior to practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in action along with Nick Foles, right, during practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' Adam Zaruba (49), Billy Brown (85), Joe Callahan (3), Carson Wentz (11), Nate Sudfeld (7) and Asantay Brown (57) run a drill during an organized team activity at the NFL football team's practice facility, Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz talks to the media after practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) runs out of the facility during practice at NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz, right, talks to Nick Foles during practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz signs autographs at the end of practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz, right, watches as Nick Foles practices at the NFL football team's facility, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz smiles during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, center, runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia, Thursday, June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, left, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson meet during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Philadelphia, Friday, July 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz walks onto the field during a joint NFL football practice with the Baltimore Ravens in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz speaks with members of the media at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz speaks with members of the media at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz throws a pass at the NFL football team's practice facility in Philadelphia, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz participates in a drill during practice at the NFL football team's facility, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, center, comes out of the building with wide receiver Cayleb Jones, left, and safety Nick Perry, right during practice at NFL football training camp, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
555Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) looks at a tablet during the first half against Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) greet each other for the coin snap before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) tries to get past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz wears a mask as he looks at his Microsoft tablet during an NFL football game, against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz stretches before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz smiles after warming up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws the ball during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Cowboys 23-9. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) talks with referee Adrian Hill before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) stands at the line during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. The Browns won 22-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz warms up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) passes against Seattle Seahawks' Poona Ford (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz looks to the sidelines during a timeout during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) iis tackled by Seattle Seahawks' Quandre Diggs (37) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers' Rashan Gary tries to stop Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) rolls out to pass during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 29 in Green Bay, Wis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) runs off of the field prior to an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 37-17. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a warm up pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 37-17. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, left, talks with quarterback Carson Wentz, right, during practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 31, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in action during practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz looks on during practice at NFL football training camp, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Sam Bradford (7), Chase Daniel (10), and Carson Wentz (11) during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes questions from the media following practice at NFL football training camp, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz do interviews following practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes questions from the media following practice at NFL football training camp, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes a photo with members of the Coast Guard as the Eagles celebrate Military appreciation day during practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) greets the fans as he takes the field during practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz throws a pass during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz takes a photo with a Marine as the Eagles celebrate Military appreciation day during practice at NFL football training camp, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11), center left,during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
