Colts: Soak in first look at Carson Wentz under center in Indy uniform

Where Carson Wentz goes in 2021, so go the Indianapolis Colts (and potentially Frank Reich’s coaching future).

With a few other veteran options on the table in a tumultuous offseason (and, as it turned out, a trade up for Justin Fields or Mac Jones might’ve been a possibility, too), Indianapolis opted for a Wentz trade relatively early in the process, working off a series of fervent recommendations from Reich himself.

The Colts’ trusted head man knows there’s the type of magic in Wentz’s right arm that could make him a top-10 quarterback if all goes well again, and that type of pocket presence and precision doesn’t grow on coaching trees.

This isn’t a risk-free proposition, though. Following another lost year, we’ll have to see it to fully believe this is the right arm our future has been staked upon.

On Wednesday, Colts fans got their first glance at “it” — only slightly, and in sliced-apart segments meant for consumption on social media.

Still, though, there was Wentz rocking his brand new red Colts practice jersey and sideline hat, the No. 2 emblazoned on his chest, hopefully representing where the Tennessee Titans land this Autumn.

Indianapolis Colts QB Carson Wentz was shown throwing for the first time.

Was this the most encouraging video footage to emerge on Wednesday? No. We’d say Parris Campbell looking 100% while boasting about his readiness for the upcoming season hit us a little harder than Wentz lofting a slo-mo pass to no one.

Still, though, this mattered. This was the very first day of a new era in Indy, because whether you like it or not, Wentz will be given every chance to succeed with his former mentor in charge.

If 2021 looks the same as 2020, that will not be the end of Wentz’s road. The Colts won’t decide something’s wrong until they’ve exhausted all options, and there’s a good chance that if they determine Wentz is cooked, they’ll do the same thing for their head coach.

They would not like to do that.

This is only the beginning — and there’s less “beginning” than ever before, considering many teams have agreed to truncate their mini-camps this summer.

It’ll be a while before we see Wentz in any sort of organized action that’s at all determinative of what’s to come, but this is a big step along the way.

Like him or not, he’s our quarterback. And also, you should like him.

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