Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Pros and cons of Commanders trading for Carson Wentz

By Jerry Trotta

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 09, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 09, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts throws the ball away during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts throws the ball away during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Con: Proneness to injury

After Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a season-ending hip dislocation in Week 1, the last thing Washington needs is another starting QB suffering a major injury. While Wentz’s injury history isn’t overly worrisome, it shouldn’t be ignored.

Over six seasons, Wentz has played the maximum number of games three times (2016, 2019 and 2021). He made it through 2020 without an injury, but was famously benched for Jalen Hurts 12 games in, so you could technically say four times.

Either way, Wentz’s injury concerns reared their ugly head this past season when he underwent surgery to remove a bone in his foot at the start of training camp. The 29-year-old missed the rest of camp and entirety of the preseason, but made it back in time for the regular season.

A few weeks later, he suffered sprains to both ankles against the Rams, though he played through the pain and didn’t miss any game action.

Again, not the worst thing in the world, but we are talking about a player who has a concussion, torn ACL and a back vertebral fracture on his resume.

Pro: Contract/Long-term commitment isn’t required

A player’s contract is arguably the most important factor when it comes to making a blockbuster trade.

While Wentz’s $28.29 million cap hit for 2022 might seem daunting on paper, there’s a high probability that the Colts eat some of that money to make a trade work. Don’t believe us? Well, The Athletic’s Zak Keefer reported shortly after news of Wentz’s future broke that owner Jim Irsay would happily take the quarterback’s $15 million guaranteed salary to the chin.

While Wentz’s deal runs through the 2024 season, he has no more guaranteed money left after 2022.

In other words, his dead cap charge next year sits at $0, meaning Washington could save $26.17 million against the cap by cutting or trading him before OR after June 1. If he doesn’t perform up to snuff, they’d have an out after one year and could proceed to reevaluate the quarterback market once again.

That flexibility could end up paying huge dividends.

Home/Commanders News