Carson Wentz, reportedly seeking a trade, watches as Eagles' bumble to season-ending loss

If this was Carson Wentz's last game as an Eagle, he spent it watching in sweatpants from the sidelines along with many other starters not on the game-day roster, as both the Eagles and Washington turned the game into a comedy of errors.

But in the end, the Eagles proved more inept, whether intentionally or not, as they twice passed up makeable game-tying field goals before turning to third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter in their 20-14 loss Sunday night.

Sudfeld, in that fourth quarter, threw an interception and lost a fumble on a low snap.

By losing, the Eagles secured the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft: a small consolation prize in a miserable 4-11-1 season.

Perhaps the enduring image was tight end Zach Ertz sitting on the bench by himself several minutes after both teams left the field.

Then he slowly walked off the field, quite possibly for the last time as an Eagle. About an hour later, Ertz, Wentz, center Jason Kelce and the team's head of security Dom DiSandro were back on the sidelines talking for about 30 minutes.

The comical attempts by the Eagles not to win the game did little to mask the controversy over Wentz, who is expected to request a trade after the season, according to a report earlier Sunday by ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Mortensen described Wentz's relationship with head coach Doug Pederson as "fractured beyond repair." Mortensen said he was citing league sources.

Afterward, Pederson said that's not the case.

"You know how I feel about Carson Wentz," he said. "I’ve got the utmost respect for him. I feel like we together can get these things corrected and get back on track. That’s my mindset going into the offseason and that’s where I’m at.

"All this other stuff, I believe, is what’s out there. I haven’t seen any of that stuff. I still have total faith and total trust in Carson Wentz and myself together to get the job done."

Wentz hasn't talked to the media since he was benched in the second half against Green Bay on Dec. 6.

Wentz's teammates, however, have insisted that he has been engaged and helped Hurts as much as possible.

"Carson is plugged in, man," said running back Boston Scott, who led the Eagles with 65 yards on 15 carries. "He's been in Jalen Hurts’ ear, helping him out whenever he can. He's been continuing to work hard, continuing to attack each day like a professional and he's been a leader.

"I have nothing but respect for Carson Wentz, always will, and whatever happens with him he has the full support of this team." 

But Hurts had by far his worst game as a starter, completing just 7 of 20 passes for 72 yards and an interception. His passer rating was 25.4. Hurts did rush for 34 yards and the two touchdowns.

He was replaced, however, after missing on a 4th-and-goal from the Washington 4-yard line late in the third quarter, with the Eagles down 17-14. Pederson passed on a chance for a game-tying 22-yard field goal.

Hurts, under pressure from Washington's defensive line, tried to hit Quez Watkins, who was all alone in the end zone.

The pass was beyond Watkins' grasp as he dove for the ball.

"I couldn’t get the oomph on it like I wanted to," Hurts said. "A situation like that, you score a touchdown; it’s a throw that I make often." 

That was enough for Washington (7-9), which needed to win to clinch the NFC East division title along with a first-round home playoff game. An Eagles win would've clinched the division for the 6-10 Giants.

And yet Washington nearly matched the severely undermanned Eagles in ineptitude as quarterback Alex Smith threw two interceptions himself. 

The Eagles, meanwhile, used a secondary that consisted of Darius Slay at one cornerback and Rudy Ford, a deep reserve at safety, at the other cornerback spot.

NEW HOME FOR WENTZ? 5 potential trade partners for Carson Wentz if Eagles move him 

Wentz was joined on the sidelines by usual starters in wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, running back Miles Sanders, tight end Dallas Goedert, left tackle Jordan Mailata, defensive linemen Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett.

In addition, cornerback Michael Jacquet and tight end Richard Rodgers were also inactive.

Defensive backs Jalen Mills and Nickell Robey-Coleman were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and didn't play either. 

Somehow, the Eagles frustrated Washington anyway.

That is, until Sudfeld replaced Hurts early in the fourth quarter. Sudfeld went 5 of 12 for 32 yards. He threw an interception, lost a fumble on a bad snap, and was sacked twice.

Smith's 13-yard TD pass put Washington back in front 17-14 with 20 seconds left in the first half. This came after Washington seemed on its way to an easy win.

Washington took a 7-0 lead, going 91 yards on 15 plays and using up 8 minutes, 13 seconds of the first quarter. Then Hurts threw an interception to Kamren Curl at the Eagles' 32. Washington converted that into a field goal for a 10-0 lead with 2:02 left in the first quarter.

But the Eagles came right back, led by Hurts and three Washington penalties that prolonged the Eagles' drive. Then they took the lead, helped by a Hurts' 30-yard completion to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside down to Washington's 6 yard line.

Arcega-Whiteside was playing for the first time since Nov. 1 as the 2019 second-round pick had been a healthy scratch four times down the stretch. Hurts then ran the ball in, giving the Eagles a 14-10 lead with 3:54 left in the first half.

But the question facing the Eagles heading to an offseason that begins Monday is what will happen with Wentz.

Mortensen reported that Wentz would be willing to facilitate a trade. That could possibly mean reworking his contract to make it more palatable for the Eagles to trade him.

Even if he does, however, the Eagles would still be on the tab for a $34 million dead money charge on their salary cap for 2021. That makes Wentz very difficult to trade, with the Eagles projected to be about $70 million over the salary cap whether Wentz plays for them or not next season.

The Eagles might not want to take that kind of cap charge to see Wentz flourish somewhere else. The highest current dead money charge taken by an NFL team is $21 million. 

CHANGES START:Eagles' changes begin as defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz won't return, but Pederson reportedly will

BUSY OFFSEASON:3 scenarios for Eagles' offseason involving the futures of Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz

Wentz has a career-low completion percentage of 57.4% and passer rating of 72.8, both also among the worst marks in the NFL. Wentz has thrown a career-high 15 interceptions, which is still tied for the NFL lead, and been sacked a league-high 50 times.

All of those decisions will begin Monday, with Wentz at the forefront.

"Listen, I know he's frustrated," Pederson said. "He was the starter, and I get that. That's understandable. I have so much confidence in him and myself that we can work on the things we need to work on and get it done."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.