WFAN radio host Boomer Esiason started Carson Wentz-Colts trade rumors, and we definitely don’t hate the idea.
It’s only taken seven games for fans in Indianapolis to fully comprehend why Chargers diehards had a love-hate relationship with quarterback Philip Rivers across his 16 years with the franchise.
Much like his days on the west coast, the 38-year-old gunslinger’s greatest moments with the Colts have been marred by some truly boneheaded decisions in the pocket. While we’ve seen some improvement from Rivers over the last two games, his horror shows under center in Week 1 and Week 5 likely convinced GM Chris Ballard to pull the plug once his one-year deal expires at the end of the season.
That’s not to say Rivers is no longer capable of being a starter in the NFL, but his declining arm strength and immobility simply isn’t going to allow Indianapolis to realize its aspirations, which, starting next season, likely fall along the lines of winning a championship.
The bottom line is that the Colts will be in the market for a long-term QB next offseason, and WFAN radio host Boomer Esiason just so happened to start rumors this week about Indy potentially being in the market to trade for Eagles signal caller Carson Wentz should he become available.
"I would even tell you that if the Philadelphia Eagles ever wanted to trade Carson Wentz, the Indianapolis Colts would be first in line to make that trade. I'm telling you. That's how much confidence [Reich] has in that kid." — @7BOOMERESIASON https://t.co/grefVhqcpz
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) November 6, 2020
It’s fairly simple to connect the dots in terms of why the Colts would potentially be interested in trading for Wentz, as he shares a strong relationship with head coach Frank Reich, who was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia for his first two seasons in the NFL.
Fans will remember that Wentz became an MVP candidate in Reich’s offense back in 2017, when he completed 60.2% of his passes for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions while leading the Eagles to an 11-2 record before tearing his ACL in December.
The former No. 2 overall pick has struggled with injuries and consistency since then, but Esiason makes it seem like Reich still rates him highly despite his increasingly reckless style of play this season, which has resulted in him throwing a league-high 12 interceptions through eight games.
I’m not gonna say Press Taylor is solely responsible for Carson Wentz struggling.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 2, 2020
But can someone tell me what he’s done to justify keeping his job as the QB coach for three straight seasons?
However, for as many maddening decisions as Wentz has made this year, his struggles have largely been the product of a decimated offensive line and woeful options at wide receiver. What makes the Colts such an ideal landing spot for him — and any quarterback, really — is that they have a stout (and durable) OL in place and a dynamic receiving corps that might add a certified stud in the offseason.
Throw in the fact that Wentz has previously flourished in Reich’s system, and this is a move that we can definitely sign off on. That, of course, is assuming that the Eagles are willing to unload him and hand the keys of the offense to 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts. Unfortunately, nothing we’ve seen this season so far suggests that is on the table.
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