Colts: Doug Pederson’s past Frank Reich comments prove Carson Wentz trade was a guarantee

The Indianapolis Colts did incredibly well to sort out their quarterback dilemma so early into the offseason.

Now, the front office has ample time to analyze the salary cap situation and determine how they want to approach free agency and the trade market at the start of the new league year.

With that being said, however, the Colts still have a long way to go in terms of validating their decision to unload two draft picks in return for Carson Wentz, who was arguably the worst quarterback in the league this past season before he was benched in Week 12.

No pressure or anything.

Part of the reason the Colts sanctioned such a trade is because they have the ideal coaching staff and requisite pieces in place — like a formidable offensive line, elite rushing attack and suffocating defense — to help a seemingly broken quarterback resuscitate his career.

Speaking of the coaching staff, it’s well-documented Frank Reich has long been a Wentz backer. So much, in fact, that when you recall former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson’s quotes about Reich’s fondness of the 28-year-old quarterback leading up to the 2016 draft, you’ll come to the realization that this was the only trade the Colts were going to make this offseason.

Based on Frank Reich’s past quotes about Carson Wentz, the Colts were always going to trade for him this offseason.

Though he was just the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, Reich reportedly had a major say in their decision to draft Wentz with the second overall pick in 2016. That isn’t to say that Philadelphia’s front office wasn’t totally sold on the 6-foot-5 quarterback, but nobody in the room advocated for trading up twice to select him more than the Colts head coach.

"“Frank would probably be the one that was probably like all-in,” Pederson told reporters of the Eagles’ decision to move up to the No. 2 overall pick to draft Wentz. “And then the rest of us were like 99 percent all-in.”"

If that wasn’t enough to convince you that the Colts trading for Wentz was a guarantee the moment Philip Rivers decided to retire, take a gander at what Reich said to the former North Dakota State star during their draft night phone call.

"“You know all I was thinking about today was when you were in the building and the way we finished our meeting. We were like, ‘We’d love to have you in this (quarterback) room.’ You looked at us and said, ‘Make it happen.’ We did…So excited. So excited. Can’t tell you. It’s all on your toughness and your competitiveness. That’s what it’s all about.”"

How about one more quote for good measure? Back in 2018 when the Colts were preparing to take on Wentz and the Eagles, Reich once again spoke glowingly about the then-third-year QB.

"“I know and love Carson and he’s a close friend of mine. And I think he’s a really good player. You know I have a lot of belief and confidence in him personally…one of my coaching highlights was a chance to work with him…He’s just a class act.”"

There’s no doubting GM Chris Ballard is taking a massive leap of faith in Reich’s conviction in Wentz, but his continual praise of him even amid adversity proves that Indianapolis was the most likely trade destination for him this offseason.

The deal might not tickle everyone’s fancy given how Wentz performed this past season, but the fact that the Colts were able to avoid giving up a first-round pick in return for seemingly their top choice at quarterback should give fans very little to complain about.

If you’re a believer in what Reich has shown over his first three years as head coach, then you should be fully confident he can help bring out the best in Wentz moving forward.

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