An already wild quarterback carousel in the NFL took another turn on Wednesday, March 9, when the Washington Commanders traded for Carson Wentz. Washington handed the Indianapolis Colts two draft picks this year and the possibility of a key choice in 2023 if Wentz plays the majority of games for his new team this season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the full terms of the deal:
Trade terms, per sources…
Colts get:
🏈2022 third-round pick
🏈2023 third-round pick that can become a second if Carson Wentz plays 70 percent of plays.
🏈2022 second-round pickCommanders get:
🏈QB Carson Wentz
🏈2022 second-round pick.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
Schefter also broke down the exact financial cost set to be incurred by the Commanders for getting their new QB1:
Washington is paying the full $28 million due to Carson Wentz this year, which includes a $5 million roster bonus due next week.
From now on, it's Commander Carson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
Carson Wentz Answers Washington’s Quarterback Dilemma (Sort Of)
Dealing for Wentz means the Commanders have finally put an end to their dilemma at football’s most important position. On the surface, the deal looks like a win-win for Washington.
Wentz is a former Pro-Bowler who helped the Philadelphia Eagles reach Super Bowl LII, even if Nick Foles took the team the rest of the way. The Commanders acquired a proven starter without giving up the 11th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. So what’s not to like?
Well, for starters, there’s Wentz’s health. He’s only completed a full season three times since entering the league in 2016. One of those seasons came with the Colts, who couldn’t wait to ditch Wentz less than 12 months after their own blockbuster deal to land the signal-caller.
Indianapolis gave the Eagles a third-round pick and a second-rounder that has converted into a first-round choice (16th overall) this year. What the Colts got in return was a 27-touchdown, seven-interception season.
Those were decent numbers, but Wentz failed to take his team to the playoffs. The Colts collapsed down the stretch, with Wentz taking seven sacks and losing a fumble during the final two weeks.
Injuries along the offensive line and an underperforming defense contributed to the Colts’ malaise. Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera will hope Wentz wasn’t the reason the Colts came unglued.
The Commanders need more competence under center after Taylor Heinicke flattered to deceive last season. Rivera has bet big on Wentz, whose acquisition has eaten into the franchise’s funds to fix other areas of the roster:
Commanders have $33M in cap space. Carson Wentz counts for $28M.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 9, 2022
Wentz is mobile and productive enough to give the Commanders the boost they need. He’ll also have useful weapons at his disposal, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin, tight end Logan Thomas and running back Antonio Gibson.
As for the Colts, they need to go quarterback hunting in a market dramatically reduced in the last few days. The franchise dealt away Wentz one day after the Seattle Seahawks sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a major haul of draft picks and players, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
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