Eagles

“Some Clown Named Mike Lombardi” Provides Carson Wentz Update

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 9th, 2021 · 9:00 AM EST

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Mike Lombardi is the guy who said Doug Pederson was a terrible coaching hire and whatnot. He was called out by Jason Kelce at the Super Bowl parade and referred to as “some clown named Mike Lombardi.”

He was wrong about Doug, but he’s been right on other things, and on Tuesday morning he is now offering this piece of information about the reportedly imminent Carson Wentz trade:

The Eagles asking price, according to one team source, was ridiculous, laughable, and not worth countering. Until they lower their expectations, based on the uncertainty of the player and contract, their initial price will never be obtained.

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) February 9, 2021

This seems fairly obvious. It was reported elsewhere that the Birds were looking for first round picks in a deal resembling what the Lions and Rams pulled off with Matt Stafford and Jared Goff. It’s hard to imagine Chicago or Indy giving the Eagles two first rounders and another pick for Wentz, who comes with a cap hit so meaty that Arby’s would be jealous.

There was also this update from Mike Garafolo later on Monday:

From NFL Now on @nflnetwork: No indications right now a Carson Wentz trade is imminent. Everybody playing poker, as the #Eagles wait for an offer that's to their liking while the #Bears and #Colts explore their options. pic.twitter.com/wD6GHmE9wV

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 8, 2021

It’s all very fascinating. This story is a good case study for how teams try to create trade leverage.

Putting on my media hat for a second, it would seem there’s an obvious pattern here. In recent days, local media types have reported that a Wentz deal is imminent. The counters are coming from national reporters, so one might presume that there’s anti-leaking going on here. The Bears/Colts/third team could be engaging in LEAKAGE WARS, which might end up in a Crossing Broad headline today or tomorrow. That’s actually not a bad idea. We should brand all forthcoming Carson Wentz posts as “LEAKAGE WARS,” and bring a diaper brand on as a sponsor. Or we could do it as LEVERAGE WARS and get a crowbar manufacturer to participate.

The only thing that screws up my theory is that Adam Schefter is one of the guys who reported that a deal was a close, and he’s a national guy as well. Perhaps he was also getting his info from the Eagles. It’s interesting to think about, the information battle playing out in public right now. At this point, we would benefit from our mystery Eagles source checking in, to help straighten this out.

If you’re reading this, mystery source, meet me at the Rite Aid at the corner of 363 and Sumneytown Pike. I’ll be waiting.