Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) takes his helmet off as he leaves the field Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
NFLBy Sean Keeley on

We already knew that the Indianapolis Colts were not sold on Carson Wentz as their quarterback moving forward. We also already knew that the Washington Commanders were desperate to find a veteran quarterback that could help stabilize their offense.

What we didn’t know was they were both working to solve each other’s problems. According to Adam Schefter, the Commanders and the Colts have completed a trade that will send Wentz to Washington for “a package of picks.” Schefter later noted that they would be taking on “his full contract” as well, which pays him over $26 million per year through 2024, showing just how badly the Commanders wanted to get their guy.

Wentz came to the Colts before last season in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles and was seen as an opportunity for both the franchise the quarterback to get a new lease on life. However, while the Colts had a lot of talent on their roster, Wentz couldn’t quite get them to the next level. He threw for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions as the Colts finished the season 9–8, losing to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in the final game with a playoff berth on the line.

After the season, neither head coach Frank Reich nor GM Chris Ballard would commit to saying Wentz was their guy for next season, and it appears that they were not kidding. Even owner Jim Irsay never seemed sold on the QB, especially after it came out that he would not get vaccinated.

For Wentz, it was a failure to succeed where he had failed in the past with Philly and his reputation for being unable to win when it matters most is going to follow him now to Washington. His legacy in Indianapolis might be for what fans (and his teammates) will consider a wasted year and a lost draft pick as part of the deal with the Eagles due to Wentz’s high snap count.

It’s been no secret that the Commanders have been reaching out to everyone to find their next quarterback. A proposed deal for Russell Wilson went nowhere and earlier today it was reported they had an interest in Jameis Winston. However, it sounds like they’ve found their guy in Wentz, at least for now, though they’re certainly paying a steep price for a guy who has yet to prove himself a capable playoff signal-caller.

The most obvious quirk in his Commanders spot is that Wentz will have to face the Eagles twice a season now, including a trip to Philadelphia. We can only imagine how that’s going to go. But in the meantime, the reactions on social media from Washington fans and the NFL world has been about as unkind as it gets.

Good luck, Commander Carson. You will most certainly need it.

[Adam Schefter]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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