Former first-round pick Carson Wentz has not drawn too much interest on the free agent market, but the quarterback recently says that he is hoping to play in the 2023 season. While the past few years have been rough for the one-time MVP candidate, based on talent alone, Wentz is still good enough to be a bridge quarterback, or a high-end backup. As long as teams don’t fool themselves into thinking they’re getting a franchise savior, Carson Wentz would make sense for the following five organizations.
Free-agent QB Carson Wentz has been spending time in Tampa, throwing and studying film with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. Wentz wants and intends to play this season, and is awaiting the right situation.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2023
Top 5 Carson Wentz Free Agent Team Fits, Ranked
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with Derek Carr in hopes of landing an upgrade at the position. Well, instead of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady, they got Jimmy Garoppolo, arguably the worst veteran starter in the league. What’s worse is that Garoppolo might not even be healthy enough to play. The former second-round pick is coming off yet another season-ending injury, and if he cannot get medically cleared, the Raiders can part ways with him with no financial repercussions. However, if that happens, they’d be going into the season with Brian Hoyer under center. That’s simply unacceptable for any team trying to win football games. Carson Wentz might not ever come close to recapturing his 2017 form, but the present-day version of the free agent is still substantially better than Hoyer.
Arizona Cardinals
As Kyler Murray continues to work his way back from a December ACL injury, one has to wonder if the Arizona Cardinals will willingly enter the season with Colt McCoy under center. The Cardinals are not going to be good this year, but starting McCoy in Week 1 is a blatant sign of tanking. It’s hard to believe that first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon would simply throw in the towel before the season even starts. At the end of the day, Carson Wentz gives Arizona a better chance of winning than McCoy, and if Murray’s not ready for the start of the season, Arizona could sign the free agent.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chances are, if Carson Wentz really wants to play in 2023, the free agent will have to settle for a backup role. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the world, and nobody is stealing his job any time soon. However, if the quarterback suffers an injury, Kansas City is in serious trouble. Blaine Gabbert might be an intelligent football mind, but he is an outright disaster every time he plays meaningful football. Andy Reid’s scheme is second to none, and he should be able to get decent enough results with Wentz under center.
Los Angeles Chargers
Just like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers have an unquestioned franchise quarterback under center with no real answer at QB2. If something happened to Herbert, then Easton Stick and Max Duggan would battle for the starting position. Quite simply, you can’t have that if you want to compete for the playoffs. Carson Wentz is easily better than both of those players, and the free agent is capable of keeping the ship afloat if Herbert needs to miss a few weeks due to an injury.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are banking on Jordan Love being good in 2023, because they do not have a backup plan if the former first-round pick isn’t up for the challenge. Their current backup quarterback is Sean Clifford, and it goes without saying that you don’t want him starting games. The NFC North is one of the most wide-open divisions in football, and Wentz might be able to lead a young, talented team to a division title if Jordan Love can’t handle starting duties.
Main Photo: Brad Mills – USA Today Sports
