Former All-Pro quarterback Carson Wentz and the Cleveland Browns “definitely have mutual interest” if the team does not sign veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, according to a report Wednesday from Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Browns and Carson Wentz Boost Mutual Interest
Wentz, 32, could serve as a bridge quarterback for the Browns, who also acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade earlier this month. Cleveland hosted Wilson for a free-agent visit last week, but the former Denver Broncos signal-caller has also met with the New York Giants.
This would not be the first time Wentz has been linked to the Browns. In 2016, Cleveland had the opportunity to select him with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft but traded the selection to the Philadelphia Eagles instead.
Wentz spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, making one start and appearing in three regular-season games, including one against Cleveland. He completed 12-of-19 passes for 118 yards and has appeared in just five games over the last two seasons.
Since leaving Philadelphia in 2020, Wentz has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Chiefs.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has confidence in Wentz and likes having such an experienced backup quarterback on the roster.
“I’ve been following him from the day he came in this league, and not really knowing him until this year, to see how he’s handed himself as an unbelievable No. 2 and backup and what he did in training camp, now he’s going to get an opportunity,” Nagy said in his Week 18 press conference.
“Literally, this is not different for him because he’s going to start. It’s not any different than any week that he goes into. When you find guys like that throughout the season, that are like that every week,” he said.
“They’re out there, but they’re hard to find. Especially when you’re as talented as he is. So, as a coach, you get pumped up, you get excited and you want to go out there and do everything you can to help him go out and lead the team to a win.”
Wentz is in his ninth season but is also on his fifth team. His claim to fame is the time he had with the Philadelphia Eagles. He started all 16 games as a rookie and set what was at the time a single-season rookie record for pass completions with 379, leading the Eagles to a 7-9 record.
Wentz completed 17 of 24 passes for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also led Los Angeles in rushing with 56 yards and recorded a game-winning touchdown run to defeat the San Francisco 49ers.