If cats have nine lives, and people have one, Carson Wentz has somewhere around two: he lived his first on the Philadelphia Eagles, subsequently died of shame, and was reborn onto the Indianapolis Colts.
How he got this glorious second chance is above our pay grade, but Wentz appears to be adjusting well to his new life and team. Without jinxing it, he just might do okay. No, he might do better than okay.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Wentz had nothing but good things to say about the Colts:
"“When you look around and see not just the talent, but the young talent. And then you combine that young talent with a lot of good dudes, a lot of not just good players, but good people? It’s exciting. There’s something special brewing here.”"
Carson Wentz sees "something special brewing" with Colts. https://t.co/QgEXkFxMEx
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 14, 2021
His frustrating vagueness aside, Wentz shows plenty signs of optimism for the 2021 season, and why shouldn’t he? Oh, right…his atrocious last season. His 2020 campaign with Philadelphia contains a whole slew of cringeworthy statistics that are sure to disappoint any football fan, so a few will suffice: Wentz led the league in interceptions (15) and sacks (50), and he’s since been listed in three categories in the article, “The worst NFL quarterbacks for every type of throw.”
From a clean pocket, Wentz completed 194 of 295 passes for 2,053 yards, 1,244 air yards, 12 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 85.3. A passer rating in the 85s sounds like pretty good (B+! Above average!), but considering the fact that 21 starting quarterbacks had a rating over 100 without pressure last season? Let’s just say he shouldn’t show his report card to his mother.
But (and as cliched as this is) maybe, just maybe, he’s changed. This isn’t just a line out of a sappy breakup story – it’s true. Wentz gets the chance to start over at a franchise with “good people,” with coaches, a roster infrastructure, and even a location that couldn’t be more perfect for him.
Carson Wentz is realistically optimistic about the Colts’ 2021 season and you should be too
If anyone can turn his career around, it’s Colts coach Frank Reich, AKA The Wentz Whisperer. The former No. 2 overall pick out of North Dakota State had his best season in 2017 when Reich was his offensive coordinator in Philly. Reuniting an underachieving player with a former beloved coach is a trope in probably every single sports movie, but more important, it’s a form of therapy that’s better than, well, therapy.
It’s not just Reich who has seen firsthand what Wentz is or isn’t capable of. The coaching staff also includes passing-game specialist Press Taylor and receivers coach Mike Groh, who have seen Wentz at (hopefully) his worst and god-willing can help the QB read the game better.
During spring workouts, Wentz immediately slipped in like peas in a pod with his teammates, some of whom were impressed by his dedicated work rate. In his new environment, he’s already claimed the responsibility of leading the ever-green rookie draft class (their only offensive players are fourth and seventh-round picks in Kylen Granson and Michael Strachan), and the franchise couldn’t wish for a happier quarterback (Green Bay, take notes).
Wentz suffered greatly in Philadelphia, but he now has the supporting cast that he needs to make a comeback: a head coach and play-caller that knows and believes in him and a roster that is hungry for top-tier quarterback play and perennial postseason contention.
As much as he’s looking forward, he’s also not afraid to own up to his mistakes:
"“Every year, you go back and of course you look at the bad: Why was that an interception? Why did I miss that throw? Why did I miss that read? Every year, you go back through it. So I’ve got five years’ worth now of understanding the good, the bad, the ugly and trying to fine-tune knowing, O.K., these are my weaknesses, maybe they reared their head too much in this game.”"
If vulnerability is sexy, then Carson Wentz just might be the sexiest man alive.
Wentz may not return to his 2017 Pro Bowl form when he scored 33 touchdowns and threw for 3,296 yards, but the Colts aren’t looking for (and also can’t afford) the next Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. Just add consistency, sprinkle a bit of explosive chemistry here and there, and the organization is in for a solid 2021 season.
With his willingness to put in the work and start a new football chapter in his career, Wentz is making out to be the leader the Colts never knew they needed.