Carson Wentz Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

From magazine cover to scrap heap: Carson Wentz's fall from grace

By Alex Lang | Last updated 3/1/23

Five years ago, QB Carson Wentz graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview edition. Now, he may be left searching for a backup job.

On Monday, the Washington Commanders released Wentz. In 2022, he started seven games, going 2-5 while sporting a 33 QBR -- the next-to-last figure in the league. He is looking at his fourth team in as many years – if he can find a team to sign him.

Wentz might have to accept a backup job. He could also find himself out of the league if his price tag is too high or he demands a starting opportunity.

Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports offered the Panthers, Bucs, Chiefs, Bills and Cardinals as potential landing spots for Wentz. Tampa Bay might be the best fit.

" The Buccaneers have a horrid cap situation this offseason, which may keep them out of the running for some of the upper-echelon quarterbacks who are expected to be on the market," Sullivan wrote.

This is quite the fall from grace for the former No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

In 2018, Sports Illustrated asked an "insider" for a breakdown of every team in the league. Here is what the person said about the Eagles:

"They are as set as any team in the NFL at the quarterback position. In Carson Wentz they have arguably the best young quarterback in the NFL, and he is only going to get better."

Wentz was coming off a season in which he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record before getting hurt. His team went on to win the Super Bowl, and Wentz finished third in the MVP voting.

#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/QgW8dmELoT
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 21, 2018

The next season, he missed the start of the year because of an injury and ended the season hurt. Per the Philly Voice, reports surfaced of Wentz not accepting coaching and being trouble in the locker room. But he signed a $128 million extension heading into the 2019 season.

Wentz seemed to bounce back in 2019, playing in all 16 regular-season games and throwing for 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Wentz finished fifth in Comeback Player of the Year voting and led the Eagles to the playoffs.

Then the wheels came off. Wentz battled injuries as the Eagles went 3-8-1 in his 12 games. His QBR fell by nearly 20 points, from 62.8 to 41.9 in 2019. The Eagles benched him for current starter Jalen Hurts.

The next year, Philadelphia traded Wentz to Indianapolis. He led the Colts to a 9-8 record, but the team stumbled at the end of the season. An embarrassing, season-ending loss to the Jaguars kept the Colts out of the playoffs. Wentz never seemed comfortable in Indy and was never accepted by fans.

That led to him being jettisoned to Washington, where he didn't stay healthy or play well.

Wentz will head to free agency hoping a team gives him a shot to start or as a highly paid backup. For the former star, his NFL days could be numbered.

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