The Indianapolis Colts haven’t been subtle about their lack of enthusiasm for Carson Wentz’s standing as the team’s starting quarterback. Shortly after GM Chris Ballard passed on the opportunity to back Wentz, head coach Frank Reich, Wentz’s biggest supporter, acknowledged the option of moving on from the former Philadelphia Eagles’ franchise quarterback.
Colts are actively evaluating Carson Wentz
Reich repeatedly noted that the head coach and the quarterback are the two most scrutinized positions in the NFL. Reich said he’s constantly being evaluated and so is Wentz. While Reich was pleased with Wentz’s reduced turnover rate and touchdown-to-interception ratio, the head coach did acknowledge that Wentz had his shortcomings as well.
Reich and Wentz spoke last week, and the head coach said the quarterback went out to California to work on his game. Reich said if Wentz returns next season, he expects the quarterback to rise to the challenge of shaking off the team’s criticism.
Reich said that Ballard and owner Jim Irsay will have independent evaluations of Wentz and the three decision-makers will meet to discuss his future. The Colts are already on the hook for $15 million of Wentz’s salary in 2022. His entire $22 million salary becomes guaranteed on March 19. Reich said that deadline would be a logical timeline for a decision to be made on Wentz.
Reich said he believes Wentz can still be a top-tier quarterback, but that performance might need to take place somewhere else.
Indianapolis seems to be actively tanking Wentz’s value
If the Colts decide to move on from Wentz, they might not like what they get in return for the quarterback, who would be wearing out his welcome with a second franchise in roughly a year. Ballard and Irsay have publicly alluded to their displeasure with Wentz over the past two months, while Reich, Wentz’s biggest cheerleader, has now acknowledged that Wentz might not stick around. Add in the fact that Wentz has refused to get vaccinated — and has been routinely criticized for his leadership throughout his career — and the former second overall pick comes off as appealing as burnt toast on the trade market.
While several teams could be looking for upgrades at quarterback, Wentz might not be viewed as a worthwhile add-on to the quarterback room, as he’s been routinely criticized for his inability to handle tough coaching and his Dec. 2020 benching. If Wentz won’t embrace a training camp competition or the possibility of being a backup, then why should a team invest in him, especially when his top supporter has seemingly lost faith in his ability?
The Colts traded a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional second-round pick to the Eagles for Wentz last February. The 2022 pick converted into a first-round pick (16th overall) because Wentz played nearly all of the Colts’ offensive snaps last season.
One year later, Wentz shouldn’t warrant anywhere close to that return, despite having a much better statistical season. The Colts have publicly handled Wentz like a mediocre asset, and no one wants to trade for twice-damaged goods.
The Colts might actually have to trade something with Wentz to recoup value for him and save themselves a huge empty expense.