After one season, the Indianapolis Colts have released Carson Wentz. They will send him to a team that he knows from his time in the NFC East.
According to someone with direct knowledge, the Colts offered to trade Wentz for the Washington Commanders. The person spoke on Wednesday to The Associated Press under oath because the deal could not be completed until next week’s new league year.
Along with Wentz, Washington will be receiving the 47th draft pick. According to another person who was privy to the deal, Washington will receive 42 and 73 this season and a conditional third-rounder in 2023 that could become a second depending on Wentz’s playing times. Because the trade was not publicized, the person spoke on condition of anonymity to the AP.
Wentz, 29 years old, has three more years left on his contract. His salary cap hits are $28.3, $26.2, and $27.2 million each. The 2016 second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles was only with Indianapolis for the 2021 season. They went 9-8 and missed the playoffs.
The Colts will be using a different opener for the sixth year in a row. Jacoby Brissett was the one who took over after Andrew Luck retired abruptly in August 2017.
Frank Reich, Colts coach, urged Wentz to become his Eagles former pupil 13 months ago. Wentz supported him throughout the season as well as the offseason.
Reich stated last week that stability is the best, and continuity is the best, and that he longs for it. “I believe in Carson. Last year, I stood up for him. He’s going to be a great quarterback, and I’m proud to have been a part of the decision to bring him here.
Chris Ballard, general manager, was not convinced.
Ballard stated that he wanted a quarterback who could play between 10 and 12 years after Indy’s defeat in the playoffs. However, he acknowledged that it isn’t always possible.
Ballard said to reporters that he was looking for a quarterback who he felt could be a long-term solution. He quickly explained that his words weren’t meant to suggest that he didn’t believe in Wentz.
Ballard stated, “As a long term solution for us, I just don’t know yet.” “You have to be right at quarterback, and even if it’s not so, you need to keep going until you get it right. It’s up to us to do it right.
Although it is not clear where Ballard or Reich will go next, there are many names being offered for trades and free agency which starts next week.
Ron Rivera, Washington’s coach, clearly believes in Wentz. The once-storied franchise is trying to stabilize a quarterback situation that had been in flux for decades with the acquisition of a former rival division face.
Since Washington acquired Alex Smith, a Kansas City veteran in 2018, Washington has started 12 different quarterbacks. Smith broke his right leg in the first 10 games of his time there.
Wentz’s addition will likely see Taylor Heinicke, the previous starter, lose out to Rivera favourite Kyle Allen for the backup job.
Wentz has played Washington eight times. He went 5-3 with 2,223 yards of passing, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has thrown for 3,008 yard, 140 TDs, and 57 interceptions in six NFL seasons.
He has suffered from injuries throughout his entire career. In 2017, Wentz injured his left knee and tore the ACL. This allowed Nick Foles to step in to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title.
He also sustained injuries while on his way to Indy. After having foot surgery, he missed nearly the entire preseason. He sprained both his ankles in Week 2, and then struggled to breathe late after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Washington, rebranded last month as the Commanders and hasn’t won it all since 1991, when Joe Gibbs was Hall of Fame coach. Dan Snyder, the owner of Rivera, has taken almost complete control over football operations. He is currently being investigated by former employees for making sexual harassment allegations.