Here's why Carson Wentz is the perfect fit for the Kansas City Chiefs' backup QB position
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a new backup in the building for the 2024 NFL season. The Chiefs are set to sign former LA Rams QB Carson Wentz on a one-year deal. Kansas City initially had interest in Wentz last offseason, but couldn't agree on an amicable deal for both sides. This year, they've […]
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a new backup in the building for the 2024 NFL season.
The Chiefs are set to sign former LA Rams QB Carson Wentz on a one-year deal. Kansas City initially had interest in Wentz last offseason, but couldn't agree on an amicable deal for both sides. This year, they've managed to get the job done, bringing Wentz into the fold as they go for a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
In terms of sheer skill, Wentz might be the most talented backup quarterback of the Patrick Mahomes era. He has a 47-45-1 regular season record during his NFL career, which is one fewer career win than Chad Henne, Matt Moore, and Blaine Gabbert have. . . combined. Statistically speaking, Wentz also runs the table with a 62.7% career completion percentage, 22,292 career passing yards, an average of 6.7 yards per attempt, 153 touchdowns, and 67 interceptions.
If the numbers don't get you excited, there are a couple of other reasons to really like this move from the jump.
Wentz had the best years of his career under an Andy Reid disciple
Wentz was the second overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL draft, which already makes him the exact type of reclamation project that Brett Veach can't resist. The part that makes it better is that he has success playing under a specific offensive coach in the Andy Reid coaching tree.
The 31-year-old played for five seasons for former Chiefs OC Doug Pederson, who was the head coach in Philly from 2016 through 2020. Pederson ran his own offense, but he also borrowed plenty from his mentor and teacher. That means that Wentz shouldn't just be a quick study in Kansas City, with familiarity with concepts and lingo when he arrives for offseason training and workouts. Having a level of comfort with an offensive scheme is a big plus when you're talking backup quarterbacks, but knowing that also had such success in that scheme is exciting.
If we consider his rookie season and his final season in Philly as outliers, Wentz had a great three-year run. He threw for 81 touchdowns to 21 interceptions with a 98.3 passer rating during the height of his career with the Eagles. There is some indication that he's not so far removed from that caliber of play, too. In his one game started against the 49ers for the Rams in 2023, Wentz was 17 for 24 for 176 yards, two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, one interception, and a 99.8 passer rating.
Wentz must be hungry for a Super Bowl title after his chance was taken from him
In 2017, Wentz was in the thick of the NFL MVP race. He looked like he was going to be the next big thing in the NFL, but during Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, he suffered a torn ACL. He was selected for Second-Team All-Pro and the Pro Bowl, but he had to watch on the sidelines as Nick Foles led Philly to a world championship in Super Bowl LII. Sure, he got a ring, but it's not the same as playing in the game, practicing for it, and even just suiting up for it.
In the seasons that followed, Wentz was never quite the same as a starter. He couldn't recapture the same luster that had him throwing for nearly 3,300 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 14 games. He was pacing for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the 2017 NFL season. He would have likely achieved career-high marks in the regular season.
Should the Chiefs need to rely on a backup quarterback for any stretch, in the regular season or the postseason, Wentz seems to be exactly the type you'd want. He's surely eager to prove that he's capable of being that player again.
Working under Andy Reid and behind Mahomes is the perfect way to prove he can be that player again. Yes, there are some concerns that Wentz has lacked a certain level of accountability in the locker room during his time as a starter. I wouldn't worry too much about that type of personality because Reid has seen them all. Who knows, a success with the Chiefs could lead to another starting opportunity with another club late in his career.
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