The move that sent Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts to the Washington Commanders is being frowned upon by experts.
Early in March, the Indianapolis Colts sent Carson Wentz and a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Washington Commanders. In exchange, Indy got a 2022 third-round pick, a 2023 conditional third-round pick, and got to swap 2022 second-round picks, moving up five spots.
The move helped the Colts to close a one-year chapter that they were eager to end and it gave Washington a starting quarterback that they needed to add.
Although both teams seemingly came away with their desires, some experts still feel it wasn’t a good move. In fact, it was recently named the worst move of the offseason so far. Not for Indy, but for the Commanders.
Carson Wentz said he was "definitely surprised" by how things ended in Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/s2IoKjGNLV
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Colts are initial winners of Carson Wentz trade with Washington
In a Bleacher Report piece by Ian Wharton “Ranking the NFL’s Worst Moves of Early 2022 Free-Agency Period,” Washington acquiring Wentz came in at No. 1.
Wharton criticized the Commanders for offering up so much in draft capital while still taking on all of Wentz’s contract, especially since the Colts weren’t going to keep him anyway.
In addition to taking on the money and sending away multiple high picks, Wharton felt this was a high tab for a quarterback with obvious on-field issues along with reported off-field problems.
Wharton wasn’t alone in his critique of the trade. Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network named the move a head-scratcher, using advanced stats to show that Wentz didn’t have a particularly good year last season but Washington was still willing to commit so much.
Aside from not currently having a starting quarterback, Colts fans should be thrilled with the trade. They were able to get rid of Wentz’s contract and come away with much more value than many anticipated.
Now, Wentz is Washington’s problem and they will deal with whatever repercussions the trade yields, much like Indy is doing after trading for Wentz a year ago.
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