Re-evaluating the Carson Wentz trade that will cost the Indianapolis Colts a 2022 first-round pick.
Saturday’s win over the New England Patriots was a big day for the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis beat a rival that it hasn’t won against in over a decade, while also moving into the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture.
The game was also a big day for the Philadelphia Eagles franchise. With Carson Wentz playing all 52 of the Colts’ offensive snaps, it assured that the conditional pick Indy sent in exchange for Wentz will be a first-round pick in the 2022 draft.
The full terms of the trade were the Colts receive Carson Wentz, and the Eagles receive a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 first-round pick. The conditions necessary for the pick to be a first-rounder were Wentz playing 75% of snaps or 70% of snaps and Indy making the playoffs.
Although there are still three games left, Wentz has already played 97.63% of Indianapolis’ offensive snaps, which mathematically puts him over 75% even if he misses the next three games. So now the question is, did Indy ultimately give too much for Wentz?
With Carson Wentz playing all the offensive snaps tonight, he has reached a snap count projection that secures the #Eagles of getting a first-round pick from the trade.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 19, 2021
Philadelphia will officially have 3 first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Is Carson Wentz worth the first-round pick Colts gave?
Indianapolis is currently 8-6 and on the verge of a playoff berth, but the success hasn’t been because of Wentz. It’s been because of Jonathan Taylor, who’s having an MVP-worthy season, and a defense that has made forcing turnovers second nature.
However, the Colts also haven’t been winning in spite of Wentz. He’s made tremendous strides with his ball security and often makes the correct reads to execute plays. Through his 14 games, Wentz has thrown for 3,005 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
While that is promising, when a franchise gives up a first-round pick for a quarterback, the hope is that he’s a bonafide franchise quarterback. The jury is still out on whether Wentz checks that box or not.
However, more clarity should be given in the coming weeks of Wentz’s standing. Indianapolis is in the middle of a must-win stretch and if they are successful, they will enter the postseason. That means the games will get tighter and more will be asked of Wentz.
Head coach Frank Reich confirmed that to the media on Tuesday, arguing the Colts will meet a situation where Wentz will have to win a game with his arm.
Good response from Frank Reich after he was asked by @bkravitz if Wentz is gonna have to win them a game at some point.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 21, 2021
"For us to go where we wanna go, I think there will have to be games where Carson is the quote-unquote star of the game. I think that’ll have to happen."
So while the Eagles have confirmed they will get what they were hoping for, Indianapolis is still waiting to find out. Wentz has had some very promising moments throughout the season, even if they didn’t always result in wins for Indy.
He’s had games, throws, and drives that left viewers feeling confident that he can be the franchise quarterback. He just hasn’t done it consistently enough for that perception to be unanimous.
In fairness to Wentz, he hasn’t often been asked to take over games, but that time is coming. When it arrives, Wentz must deliver to assure everyone that he is worth a first-rounder.
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