ESPN debates best landing spot for QB Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz is open to being a starter or backup this year and ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler weighed in where he could end up.

There is speculation the Las Vegas Raiders might look to another quarterback should Jimmy Garoppolo not work out due to his food injury. But Wentz would go into a crowded room with veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Aidan O’Connell (Purdue).

Fowler weighed the possibility of Wentz going to Las Vegas.

“Carson Wentz is certainly an accomplished No. 2 overall pick, former MVP candidate, he is a free agent,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “He’s been working out, he wants to play this year, he’s open to any sort of role starter or backup. So that can be an option if this drags on with (Jimmy) Garoppolo (and the Raiders).

“He’s got guaranteed money, but over $20+ million dollars that wouldn’t be in jeopardy if he continues to have an issue on that foot. But as of now the Raiders are still hopeful that that won’t be the case (with Garoppolo).”

Basically, Wentz and the Raiders are likely not a match, according to Fowler, since the hope is Garoppolo heals up and is good to go.

But ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck had a better idea of where Wentz could go this year.

“I don’t think it makes sense really for Wentz or for the Raiders,” Hasselbeck said on SportsCenter. “And the reason I say this, one, I think there is enough optimism on Jimmy Garoppolo’s health that even if he missed the very start of the season, they would be getting him shortly after that. (Brian) Hoyer and Aidan O’Connell are probably what the Raiders need in terms of getting through that initial stretch.” 

That’s where the former quarterback suggested a different landing spot for Wentz, in a backup role.

“I actually believe the best fit for Wentz and this would be team and player related is the Arizona Cardinals,” Hasselbeck said. “It’s anticipated that Kyler Murray is going to miss more time at the start of the season than Garoppolo ad then when you look at it from the team’s perspective, they also have Colt McCoy, who’s the backup who’s coming off of injury and surgery this offseason. 

“So Wentz would actually have an opportunity to really rehabilitate his image as a player. But then there’s no discrepancy over who the quarterback is and I think that’s why it’s a better team. Kyler Murray is a starter in Arizona, right? Whereas in Las Vegas if Wentz ends up playing and he’s playing well, now next thing you know, you kind of have an issue on your hands in terms of how you’re handling the quarterback situation.”

After rising to an MVP-caliber player in Philadelphia in 2017, Wentz dealt with numerous injuries and up and down play until the Eagles traded him to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. Despite success most of the season, Wentz and the Colts missed the playoffs which led to his departure and short stint with the Washington Commanders.

Wentz played half of the season last year and was released from the team.

The former No. 2 overall pick out of North Dakota State has career totals of 22,129 yards, 151 touchdowns, 66 interceptions and a 62.6% completion percentage.