The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders in exchange for two third-round draft picks, according to a league source.
One of those selections, a 2023 third-round draft pick can become a second-round draft pick should the oft-injured Wentz appear in 70 percent of the offensive snaps next season. The Commanders and Colts swapped places in the second round in 2022, too.
Carson Wentz was on shaky ground
A year ago, Wentz was acquired via a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles but was a disappointment in his one season in Indianapolis. Now, he joins the Commanders who also looked into potential trades for Russell Wilson, dealt to the Denver Broncos, and Deshaun Watson, whose legal situation is unresolved.
Before the trade, Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with Wentz during the NFL Scouting Combine, emphasizing they had a productive conversation. He didn’t provide any support publicly to Wentz, though.
One year after a hefty trade, Wentz is not returning due to his disappointing finish to the season as the Colts failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Ballard said that the Colts factored everything in making the decision on Wentz. However, he didn’t reference the available free agent quarterbacks or the draft as being an overriding element.
It comes down to trust. “Ultimately, you’ve got to have a guy that you believe in and can win with,” Ballard said.
Colts’ decision-making process on Wentz
Why were the Colts so noncommital on Wentz’s future, and why did they lose faith in him?
“Fair enough, so not saying we don’t (believe), but in the long-term best interests for us as we work through whether Carson is the long-term best interest for us is the best way I can put it,” Ballard said. “We’re not there yet. I’m not there yet. We’ll talk about it as a group and move forward. Whatever decision we make will be the best one for us.”
As far as the trade and what was surrendered, Ballard said he couldn’t concern himself with that. And he won’t.
Colts GM continued to speak with Wentz
The conversation with Wentz lent no clarity to the situation, but it wasn’t a bad one, according to Ballard.
“I visited with Carson today in my office for an hour,” he said. “It was good. It was really good. I think learning to handle the criticism, I think what you always have to ask yourself, and I always ask it with the criticism I get, which some of it is deserved, I always ask, ‘Is the criticism fair? Is it fair?’ I’ll take it in if it is fair.
“But if it’s not fair, then what am I doing? I’m not wasting headspace on that. But if the criticism is fair, we’ve got to be able to look internally and accept that and grow from it. Most of it’s pretty fair. And it’ll be interesting to see how he grows from this. I think he will.”
Ultimately, that led to more conversations, a ticket out of town, and a pending return to the East Coast.
This organization is such a disappointment. As a life long fan from birth I am officially done!! To pay 28 million for a average backup quarterback when you already have one in Heinicke. The Colts got a steal as they get a better 2nd round draft pick this year with the swap and two 3rd rounders (the 2023 pick could even turn into a 2nd rounder). What a joke! All for a guy they wanted to off load and get rid of. We should of gotten draft picks to take on his salary.
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The Washington organization is a complete joke. From the sexual harassing owner to a front office full of yes men to a coach who is as predictable as my 3yr old grand baby. The owner lied to their fan base again first it’s I will never change the name to it will be something everyone will like then he pulls commanders out of his ass and everyone hates it then he rants about how he is going all in on a QB either via trade for one of the stars or trading up to get one of the kids from college so what does he do idiot trades for wentz why because it only cost two third round picks dumb ass wait another week it would have been free they would have cut him. He is a three time proven loser in the NFL why would anyone want him. Then to add insult to the fans they pay him 28 million. So skins will be stuck through another roster flip. Just when the Sefense was looking good the offense needing a couple tweaks but now we are stuck with a loser at qb for at least three years then all the others will be either gone or time to replace them so sorry fans your screwed again. Wish the league would force that criminal sexual deviant into selling the team. Maybe we could get an owner who understands the game and what it takes to put a winner on the field.