Carson Wentz is poised for another opportunity to revive his NFL career as the Los Angeles Rams are set to sign him, pending a physical examination, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, citing an inside source. This news was initially reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
The Rams found themselves in need of a quarterback when their starting QB, Matthew Stafford, missed the Week 9 game against Green Bay due to a thumb injury. The backup, Brett Rypien, had a disappointing performance in that game, throwing for only 130 yards with an interception and a fumble. Subsequently, Pelissero reported that the Rams were waiving Rypien, signaling the end of his time with the team.
With the Rams on a bye in Week 10, head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism that Stafford would return after the week off. Nevertheless, adding Wentz to the roster provides an additional arm for the quarterback room.
Carson Wentz, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft (selected right after the Rams took Jared Goff at No. 1), has faced challenges in his career since a sensational 2017 season ended with an ACL injury. He spent five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts two years after signing a significant long-term contract in 2019.
In 2021, Wentz struggled in 17 starts with the Colts, plagued by turnovers, inefficient passing, and puzzling mistakes. The season ended on a sour note as the Colts missed the playoffs with a Week 18 loss to Jacksonville, a game in which Wentz struggled until it was out of reach.
The Washington Commanders acquired Wentz last season in the hopes of solving their quarterback woes. However, the trade did not go as planned, as Wentz’s inconsistent performance contributed to the team losing four of their first five games. Wentz suffered a hand injury in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve.
Even after recovering, he did not immediately regain the starting role due to the emergence of Taylor Heinicke. The Commanders turned back to Wentz in Week 17 when they needed two wins to secure a playoff spot, but it ended in disappointment as he threw three interceptions and just 143 yards in a loss to Cleveland, effectively ending Washington’s season.
The Commanders released Wentz in February, making him a free agent. NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo mentioned that Wentz had worked with Jon Gruden during the offseason, who is a former mentor of McVay.
In recent seasons, Wentz has struggled as a quarterback, often rattled by pressure and prone to costly mistakes typically associated with younger players. His availability as a free agent into November highlights how the league perceives him as a former starter.
However, last season, McVay managed to make the Baker Mayfield experiment successful on short notice, providing optimism that Wentz could experience a resurgence if given an opportunity in Los Angeles, especially if Stafford’s injury lingers.
