The Los Angeles Rams recently signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz to back up starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. What are the expectations for Wentz in Los Angeles?
Carson Wentz’s Future With the Los Angeles Rams
As Stafford has struggled with injuries this season, Wentz could be a temporary fix — should he get injured again — but head coach Sean McVay has hinted at keeping Wentz around for the future.
“I think that’s to be determined,” McVay said. “I think we were just excited about being able to get him in the building. We had a need. And, like I had mentioned, we’re excited about getting Matthew back, but I think to have somebody that’s played as well as he’s played, has had as many experiences as he’s had to be out there and available is kind of rare.
“We were excited about the opportunity to be able to get him into the building, and that’s kind of where we’re at right now as it relates to that.”
The team will expect to return Stafford this week against the Seattle Seahawks after he missed the Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers while dealing with a right thumb injury.
Wentz signed a deal to be on the Rams’ 53-man roster for the veteran minimum of $1.165 million, plus a $150,000 signing bonus with a total cash value of $732,500, sources told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
After waiting for an extended period to get a chance with another team, Wentz said he is thankful for the opportunity.
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“I will say, the NFL has a way of humbling everybody,” Wentz said Wednesday in his first press conference with his new team. “And it’s a process, but at the same time, I’m no dummy. I’ve seen it all; I know how this league works, and I know kind of how last year ended, and I didn’t play well enough.
“Just to be on a team, to be around the guys, is a blessing regardless. So I’m thankful for that opportunity, and I’ll help in whatever way I can, and I’m going to be ready.”
Wentz was drafted No. 2 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft and had a successful run with the team. In his rookie season, he completed 62.4% of his pass attempts for 3,782 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
A year later, Wentz went 11-2 as a starter before suffering a season-ending injury. The Eagles then went on to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
Since his run with the Eagles, Wentz has seen his performance decline. He left the Eagles after the 2020 season and led the Indianapolis Colts to a 9-6 start, although they lost their final two games and missed the postseason.
During his time in Washington in 2022, Wentz played in eight games and had a starting record of 2-5 with the Commanders.
Despite the decline, Wentz has solidified himself as a talented quarterback and could still have potential if given the chance. While his future with the Rams is unclear at the moment, the team could allow him to show that he still has the talent he showed with the Eagles.
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