The expectation going into the previous offseason was that the Washington Commanders would embrace a future with Sam Howell and move on from Carson Wentz.
Wentz and his player agent had plenty of time to get ahead of the free agency market by negotiating contracts with any team interested in adding the former No. 2 overall pick. Wentz was released from his contract in February.
When the former Pro Bowl quarterback was cut, the plan was for him to bounce back fast and get another opportunity to show that he could manage a team, even if it wasn’t in a clear-cut starting position. Wentz was probably only considering a backup role because he was coming off three straight bad seasons and was about to turn thirty years old.
Nevertheless, throughout free agency, there was never any indication that a team was even considering Wentz. No official visits occurred.
Wentz never intended to sit out the season, but as the weeks passed, it appeared unlikely that the eighth-year player would still be without a team in the NFL in 2023.
Then, on November 7, Wentz unexpectedly signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he is anticipated to serve as Matthew Stafford’s backup quarterback following Brett Rypien’s release. At the time, multiple teams were dealing with significant quarterback injuries. However, given that Stafford has also been injured recently, it’s possible Wentz will play sooner rather than later.
Following the team’s Nov. 6 27-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz apparently contacted the New York Jets as well as the Rams. Since Zach Wilson was still having trouble and the Jets had one of the best defences in the NFL, Wentz and his agent believed he might be able to replace the young quarterback in the Big Apple.
However, the Jets showed no interest in trading up to select their previous No. 2 overall pick. Wentz, meanwhile, arrived in Los Angeles. Like Baker Mayfield, who did the same thing late in the previous season before being selected for the starting position by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past offseason, Wentz might be able to manage coach Sean McVay’s offence on short notice there.
With Mayfield thriving now, perhaps Wentz hopes to take a similar path, but first, he’ll have to see the field and play well, which is not something we’ve seen from him the last time he saw extended action.