Will the Carolina Panthers sign Carson Wentz this offseason?
The Carolina Panthers will likely draft a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft, but they still need to add a veteran signal-caller. Will that veteran be Carson Wentz?
Wentz was released by the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason after only one season with the team. The move saves the Commanders roughly $26 million. He still had two years remaining on his deal but had no guaranteed money.
#Commanders release QB Carson Wentz which will save $26.2M in cap space. https://t.co/JDGSX2wT9Q
Last season, Wentz looked really impressive early on, throwing a combined seven touchdown passes during his first two games. But then Washington's offense struggled over his next four starts.
Wentz broke his finger in Week 6, which sidelined him for eight games. Eventually starting one more contest during the season, he finished the year with 1,755 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Carson Wentz would reunite with Frank Reich in Carolina
Wentz's main reason for signing with the Panthers would be to reunite with their new head coach, Frank Reich. The two spent time together with both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.
While Reich was the Eagles' offensive coordinator, Wentz had an outstanding 2017 season, earning the lone Pro Bowl selection of his career. He likely would've won MVP that year if he hadn't suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Later, when Reich was the head coach of the Colts during the 2021 campaign, Wentz started all 17 games for the team. They nearly made the playoffs with a 9-8 record.
Carson Wentz could be a solid backup quarterback for the Carolina Panthers
The Panthers recently landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, as they sent wide receiver DJ Moore and a bunch of draft picks to the Chicago Bears. In the deal, Carolina gave up the ninth overall pick, a second-round pick (61st overall), a 2024 first-round selection, and a 2025 second-round pick.
With the 1st overall pick, it is now possible that Bryce Young might join the #Panthers https://t.co/q1AUc3LwAP
Carolina is expected to use the top pick on a quarterback, whether it's Alabama's Bryce Young or Ohio State's CJ Stroud.
Young or Stroud will obviously be the franchise QB in Carolina. Wentz would serve as the backup, who could start if the rookie struggles or goes down with an injury.
Wentz isn't looking like a starting-caliber quarterback anymore, but he could still have a good career playing the backup role.