Eagles Exercise Carson Wentz’s Fifth-Year Option

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - In what was essentially a procedural move the Eagles picked up the fifth-year team option on Carson Wentz's rookie deal Monday.

The deadline for the decision was this week and the only question was whether Philadelphia would check the box or work out a longer-term extension for the former No. 2 overall pick, who will be entering his fourth professional season come Septemeber.

Wentz is now under contract through the 2020 season, set to count $8.5 million against the salary cap this season and spike to $22.78M in the final year of the deal if an extension is not worked out.

A potential longer-term deal could range in the $30M average annual value range but structured to offer a better cap number in the earlier years for a quarterback who played at a near MVP-level in 2017 but suffered injuries that shortened his last two campaigns, the torn ACL/LCL in 2017 and a stress fracture in his back last season.

The Eagles have never wavered on their plan to sign Wentz to a long-term extension and essentially have about 15 months to make sure Wentz does not enter into his lame-duck season.

From a practice standpoint, all fifth-year options in the NFL are only guaranteed for injury.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen