Former No. 2 overall pick intends to play in 2023 despite teams' lack of interest

Carson Wentz has been staying active with the hope of playing in 2023. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wentz “wants and intends” to play in the NFL this upcoming season and is “awaiting the right situation.”

The free-agent quarterback has been throwing and studying film with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, per Schefter. There was a report earlier this offseason that Wentz was determined to continue playing, and it appears the player’s camp may be making another public push to get the QB on a team.

We heard last month that the QB was generating some interest around the NFL, but it’s otherwise been quiet on the Wentz front. It’s not a huge surprise that it’s been slow going for the veteran; he’ll now be seeking his fourth team in four seasons, and the shine has surely worn off after he was unceremoniously dumped by Washington.

The former first-round pick’s tenure with the Eagles came to an end following a 3-8-1 record and league-leading 15 interceptions in 2020. Philly dealt the quarterback to the Colts for a first-round pick, and the oft-injured Wentz managed to start all 17 games for Indy. He went 9-8 that season, tossing 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.

Still, the Colts were quick to move off him, dealing him to the Commanders last offseason. Wentz started his first seven appearances for Washington, but a finger injury resulted in an IR stint. By the time he returned, Taylor Heinicke had taken the starting gig, and Wentz earned his walking papers when the season ended. The 30-year-old finished this past season having completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Wentz’s best shot at joining an NFL roster would be in a backup role, but it remains to be seen if the former Pro Bowler is willing to accept that kind of gig. If he isn’t, he’ll surely have to wait for injuries to hit, and even then, teams may be more interested in younger, cheaper options at the position.