According to NFL Insider Adam Caplan, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich believes the Philadelphia Eagles were a former franchise fullback Carson Wentz is a player who can ‘build’ the horseshoe – should he be acquired in an upcoming trade:
“I do not like what I said two weeks ago, I still think it’s going to be the Colts,” he said. Caplan said during ‘Ferrall Coast to Coast’ on SportsGrid. ‘The reason for this is simple: head coach Frank Reich wants him. He coached him in Philly for two years as the offensive coordinator. They had a close working relationship. Reich thinks the world of him. ”
“He (Reich) explained that Colts sources tell me that once they enter their free agent meetings, it’s a man they can build with.”
That’s why Caplan predicts that Indianapolis will eventually become Wentz’s trading destination.
The 28-year-old Wentz is still theoretically talented. He has the draft pedigree as the 2nd overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft, as well as an NFL MVP caliber season in 2017 to fall back on – when he started during 13 for 33 touchdowns after 7 interceptions in an 11-2 Eagles team throws before you unfortunately had a torn ACL injury during the season.
He still showed flashes of that talent from time to time as well.
If he plays stylishly, he has a bazooka and is the kind of double-threat quarterback who can play with both his arms and feet – with the ability to play under duress (which is a regular occurrence) and the use of escape moving outside the bag. .
However, there is no sugar coating. Wentz has been downright awful this past season. He started throwing for 16 shots after 15 interceptions in 12 before standing on the point in favor of the rookie full-back. Jalen Hurts. There have also been rumors about his coaching and accountability as a quarterback in Philadelphia this past season.
Make no mistake, Wentz is a dynamic quarterback (who can actually go right, who could possibly turn into an NFL franchise quarterback again) – and a star passer who can build the Colts on offense. However, there are some developed bad habits to resolve – in fact many of them, so there is no guarantee.
That said, Reich knows Wentz – as he was his former Eagles attacking coordinator from 2016-2017, last year, which was also Wentz’s best NFL season in his career. The two have already developed a good relationship and a positive working relationship. The Colts head coach knows what’s’ really ‘ticking’ Wentz and as a former NFL quarterback, he may be able to pick the best of the 2017 NFL All-Pro better than almost anyone.
Wentz also knows Reich’s system – and in turn it’s a very quarterly friendly offense.
There is a lot of familiarity and a comfort zone between both sides – which logically fits.
Still, not without risk.
Wentz has essentially “an easy chance” of his mega-contract after two years, but there will still be a high hit for the Colts during each of those seasons – which would only get worse if he kept struggling.
While Wentz’s ceiling is very high, his floor (as we saw firsthand last season) remains fairly low.
There’s also the whole issue of draft compensation, as the Colts – and any other trader in that regard – seem to be refusing to give a first round at this point.
As I pass that, there are limited upgraded veteran quarterback options for the Colts that are readily available this off-season. Wentz is probably the best remaining option.
If the Colts (and especially Reich) really think Wentz is redeemable and can regain his previous MVP caliber form (* or even close to it), the risk could be worth the reward for Indianapolis – and much more, than a potential franchise cornerstone.