Colts trade QB Carson Wentz to Commanders

Indianapolis originally acquired the No. 2 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft from the Philadelphia Eagles last March for what became a 2021 third-round draft pick and 2022 first-round selection. That experiment quickly soured for the Colts after they lost their final two games of this past regular season to miss the playoffs, contests in which Wentz failed to cover himself in glory. 

Following Week 18, Colts owner Jim Irsay, head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard all refused to commit to Wentz remaining their starter through the offseason, and it was believed Indianapolis was prepared to release the 29-year-old next week to save slightly over $13 million in salary-cap space with a dead-cap hit of $15 million. 

Instead, Schefter reports Washington is set to pay the man who will replace Taylor Heinicke atop the club's depth chart at the sport's most important position.

The Commanders and Wentz could, however, agree to restructure that deal to offer the team salary-cap relief for at least 2022.

Per ESPN stats, Wentz finished his one and only season with the Colts 13th among eligible quarterbacks with a 94.6 passer rating, ninth with a 54.7 total QBR, 10th with 27 touchdown passes, and 18th with 3,563 yards through the air. He completed 62.4% of his throws and was intercepted seven times. 

One now wonders if the Colts instead of the Commanders will turn their eyes toward Houston Texans starter Deshaun Watson depending on the outcome of his much-publicized legal situation. San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo could also be an option for Indianapolis.