Colts: Carson Wentz proves he’s a class act with farewell message to Philly

The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback search came to an end in dramatic fashion this week when they agreed to acquire Carson Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional second-rounder in next year’s draft.

It goes without saying that this is a massive gamble from GM Chris Ballard given how Wentz performed this past season, but fans would be hard-pressed to be frustrated with him pulling the trigger on this deal.

After all, the Colts, hamstrung by a shortage of realistic targets, got a very good option at a discount compared to the Eagles’ initial asking price.

When you consider how messy the end of his Eagles tenure was, Wentz is undoubtedly chomping at the bit to get to work with old friend Frank Reich, who was his offensive coordinator in Philadelphia for his best season as a pro in 2017.

However, before Wentz starts building upon his foundation with Reich (and starts forming relationships with his new teammates) he had to give one last goodbye to the Eagles organization and city of Philadelphia.

The former No. 2 overall pick took to Instagram on Friday with a heartfelt message that proves he’s a class act.

Carson Wentz penned an emotional farewell message to the Eagles after he was traded to the Colts.

Talk about a perfect parting message. We would expect nothing less from Wentz. Despite his falling out with former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, he’s always been regarded as an exceptional leader and even better teammate.

The 28-year-old clearly values the friendships he developed over the last five years — as well as what he accomplished with Philadelphia as their starting quarterback — and, as excited as he is for this fresh start in Indianapolis, putting that chapter of his career in the rearview mirror on a permanent basis has to feel a little bittersweet.

According to a report from ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Wentz and Pederson weren’t on speaking terms for months after he was benched in favor of 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts, so credit to him for being the bigger man and mustering the courage to put this unfeigned message together.

Though terms of the deal can’t be made official until the start of the new league year next month, Wentz’s goodbye message pretty much signals the start of his Colts career.

And based on the former Pro Bowler’s initial interactions with his new teammates — he already had a chat with Kenny Moore and reached out to Julian Blackmon via text — fans in Indianapolis will have had very little to complain about thus far.

Colts: Watch Carson Wentz arrive in Indianapolis after trade with Eagles

Carson Wentz has already arrived in Indianapolis to get to work with the Colts following the trade that brought him over from the Philadelphia Eagles.