Carson Wentz next NFL team odds: Buccaneers, Raiders, Panthers, Titans, Chiefs favorites to sign quarterback after release from Commanders
Former Commanders QB Carson Wentz is a free agent.
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Think what might have been in the career of quarterback Carson Wentz, the former No. 2 overall pick, if he hadn't gotten hurt late in the 2017 NFL regular season. He was among the MVP favorites before suffering an injury on Dec. 10, 2017, at the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles would go on to win their only Super Bowl title with Nick Foles in his spot, and Wentz has never really played at that level again. He's now a free agent after his release earlier this week from the Commanders, and SportsLine offers odds on his next team.
While free agency doesn't officially open until the new league year starts on March 15, Wentz can sign immediately because he was released from his contract. The move by the Commanders was all but inevitable after he lost his starting job last season to Taylor Heinicke.
Coach Ron Rivera did throw Wentz a lifeline by starting him over Heinicke in a must-win Week 17 home game vs. Cleveland, but Wentz was putrid, throwing for just 143 yards with three picks in a 24-10 loss that would eventually lead to Washington being eliminated from playoff contention. The Commanders ended up trading two third-round picks and swapping second-round picks in 2022 to acquire Wentz from Indianapolis last offseason. That will go down as one of the worst trades in recent franchise history.
There might be just one team in the league where Wentz could have a good chance of starting right now: Tampa Bay, following the retirement of Tom Brady. The lone QB on the roster is 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask, he of the nine career NFL pass attempts.
When the Bucs were interviewing offensive coordinator candidates, they were told Trask will compete for the team's Week 1 starting job. The team's new OC, Dave Canales said he sees Trask as an efficient "point guard" who can distribute the ball to Tampa Bay's skill position players. It's expected the Bucs will bring in a veteran to compete with Trask. With major salary-cap issues, the Bucs probably can't afford someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr.
Speaking of Carr, if the Raiders lose out on Aaron Rodgers as his replacement, they could look to Wentz as perhaps a one-year bridge QB with Las Vegas likely to draft a quarterback this April – perhaps with the No. 7 overall pick. The Saints also are interested in Carr and may need a fallback option.
Frank Reich was Wentz's offensive coordinator in 2017 in Philadelphia when Wentz was playing at his highest level, and of course Reich was Wentz's head coach in 2021 with Indianapolis. Wentz actually played reasonably well that season until his performance collapsed in the final two games. Reich is now the head coach for Carolina, which certainly needs a QB.
"First of all, a highly intelligent player who can process a lot of information quickly," Reich said when the Commanders traded for Wentz last year. "They're getting a guy who physically is an NFL-prototype quarterback. They're getting a guy who I think can be a top-10 quarterback. I really believe he can be a top-10 quarterback. That's not just a given; that has to be earned and proven."
The Titans have started purging their roster of high-priced veterans, and Ryan Tannehill could be next. Wentz could serve as a bridge QB in Nashville to Malik Willis (if he's even the long-term answer). Arizona might need a QB for the first half or so of the 2023 campaign, depending how on Kyler Murray's ACL rehab goes.
Veterans in the NBA often go ring-chasing after being bought out by a bad team, and maybe Wentz is ready to accept a backup role in Kansas City or Buffalo. Patrick Mahomes' former backup, Chad Henne, is now retired.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will sign Carson Wentz?
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