Is this Wentz’s last year as a starter?

By: Ben Lavelle

Carson Wentz was drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) in the 2016 draft by the  Philadelphia Eagles. He had a promising rookie season and an encouraging second year. His third season however he was playing lights out. The Eagles were 10-2 and Carson was the favorite to win MVP. Then, with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter with the Eagles losing 24-28 against the Rams, 1st and goal on the Rams, he scrambled out to the right and dove for the end zone getting crushed by two Rams’ players. He would play four more snaps before finding Alshon Jeffery in the end zone for a touchdown. Nick Foles would step in and finish the game off. He would lead the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl win. Carson Wentz would miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs, as well as the first two games of the 2019 season with a torn ACL and LCL. The next season, he returned in week three and would finish with a record of 5-6 but would miss the last three games with a fractured back but avoided surgery. Then in the next game that Carson Wentz played, he would suffer a concussion in the team’s wild card playoff loss to the Seahawks in the first quarter.

The Eagles then traded Carson to the colts for a 2021 3rd round draft pick and a 2022 1st round draft pick. In his first season he led the Colts to a record of 9-8 but could not get them into the playoffs. Carson played with the Colts for just one season before getting traded to the Commanders for a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick in the 2022 draft and a conditional round pick in the 2023 draft. Colts coaches said that he had a perceived lack of leadership, an unwillingness to accept coaching and criticism but also had a reckless style of play.

Wentz started the 2022 season as a starter for the Commanders. Wentz played the first 6 1/2 games before fracturing his finger and getting surgery. While Wentz was injured Tyler Heinicke stepped up in his spot and when Wentz’s finger fully healed he stayed benched under Heinicke. Commanders’ coach Ron Rivera said that Carson might start in their week 18 game against the cowboys but as of right now he is the backup. Carson Wentz’s starting status for next year is still unknown but it is looking like he will be a backup next year. I don’t think Wentz will ever be a starter because of his lack of leadership and ability to be coached. He is also, injury-prone getting injured 10 times in his last 7 seasons which has resulted in him missing lots of games. Not a stat you want to have.