Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the best in the business at his position. It wasn’t long ago that his new backup, Carson Wentz, was climbing those same rankings.
The No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Carson Wentz reached MVP-level production in his second season in the NFL. Unfortunately, a devastating injury changed the trajectory of his career.
He was able to get back on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles and finished fifth in the Comeback Player of the Year award voting in 2019. But, with Jalen Hurts on the roster, his standing as the team’s franchise quarterback wasn’t going to last much longer.
During the 2021 NFL offseason, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The team went 9-8 and he showed signs of regaining his form. His production in 2021 compared to 2020 improved across the board.
Alas, a loss to the 3-14 Jacksonville Jaguars in the final week of the season was enough to do him in. That loss kept the Colts from making the playoffs and Carson Wentz was on the move again in the 2022 offseason.
This time, he was traded to the Washington Commanders. The wheels fell all the way off, as Washington went 2-5 and his days of being a starter in the NFL were over.
In 2023, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in November. He backed up Matthew Stafford, appearing in two games with one start. The Rams won that game and the work he put in was enough for the Chiefs to target him as Patrick Mahomes’s backup in 2024.
This certainly isn’t the way Carson Wentz envisioned his career going. But, he is thankful that the Chiefs gave him a chance to continue his career, even if it is as a backup to Patrick Mahomes.
“I’ll find a way to help him whatever way I can, whether that’s off the field, on the field, whatever,”‘ Wentz said .
Embracing a role as a backup is not something everyone is willing to do. Ego needs to be put aside, accepting that a starting role isn’t going to be available at the time.
It may have taken a little while, but Carson Wentz has been able to do that. A second professional career as a backup can be carved out for years to come as he is still only 31 years old.
Backup quarterback is one of the most important positions in the NFL. The Chiefs know a drop-off will come regardless of who is behind Patrick Mahomes if he is forced to miss time. But, that drop-off won’t be as severe with someone such as Carson Wentz available to step into the lineup.
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The post Chiefs’ Carson Wentz Gets Honest On Role Behind Patrick Mahomes appeared first on NFL Analysis Network .
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