Just a year after the Philadelphia Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, it appears he may once again be looking at potential landing spots. Rumors had been building for a while, but on the Sunday of Super Bowl 56, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that the future is bleak for Wentz in Indianapolis. With Wentz expected to be either traded or released before March 18, where could he end up this offseason?
Carson Wentz landing spots
Wentz’s contract makes for an interesting situation. He has a cap number in 2022 of $28.3 million. Of that, $15 million is guaranteed — even if the Colts release him, they would only save $13.3 million at most. He has a $6.3 million roster bonus guaranteed on March 18, which is likely why that date has been highlighted as the deadline for trading or releasing him.
That opens a few situations when it comes to landing spots. The first option is a team trades for him and pays him in 2022 with the chance to release him after the season if things don’t work out. Second, a team could be willing to take on the $15 million in salary for the Colts, as long as Indy pays them handsomely with draft picks. The third option is a team waiting for the Colts to release him before picking him up.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a new QB
The Buccaneers are certainly in the market for a new QB this offseason. Early reports suggest they’re looking more high-profile than Wentz. Both Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson have been discussed as options. However, if those moves do not materialize, Wentz could be an intriguing option.
He would be somewhat of the middle ground between Watson/Wilson and the current options of Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert. Cap space might be an issue for the Buccaneers, with Wentz carrying a $28.3 million cap number. They may feel that he is not a big enough upgrade over what they have for that price. However, with a roster built to win now, Wentz could keep them in the picture.
Could Wentz be a bridge option for the Denver Broncos?
If the potential arrival of Aaron Rodgers does not materialize, could Wentz be on his way to Denver? They have a projected $39.2 million in cap space and could take on his salary for 2022 and still have space to work with. The concern for the Broncos is whether Wentz presents an upgrade over the situation they had this year.
The lack of clear-cut QB1 options in the draft or free agency leaves the Broncos in a tough situation. Their roster is good — and there’s an urgency to capitalize. That did not quite work out to plan with Teddy Bridgewater, but maybe Wentz can execute the plan better. The Broncos will likely be looking for a bigger splash, but Wentz could be a better option than rolling with Drew Lock in 2022.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could see Wentz as the replacement for Ben Roethlisberger
The Steelers have struggled to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger in the past few years. Generally, they have looked to do it through the draft, and it has looked ugly so far. Therefore, looking to do it through free agency or via trade may be the best option.
Pittsburgh has built a superb roster and made it to the playoffs with Roethlisberger looking a shell of himself. Therefore, they may feel a player of Wentz’s level can push them back into contention. They need to address other areas, such as their offensive line, but it is a possibility.
Would the Jets or Bears be willing to eat the salary to secure a draft pick in 2022 or 2023?
The Colts have limited options for teams that might be willing to eat cap space. Of the teams with plentiful cap space, many likely view themselves as a contender in the immediacy. The Jets are projected to have $44.7 million in cap space, so they could easily take on the $15 million in guarantees and then cut Wentz.
The Bears are also a possibility with $29.1 million. The Colts would likely have to pay a second or third-round selection to make it work, but if they have a viable replacement lined up to start at QB, that would be a small price to pay. For the Colts to be this adamant they are moving on from Wentz — after narrowly missing the playoffs — it would suggest they have some comfort with their plans post-Wentz.