AFC South news: Colts land Carson Wentz via trade

Carson Wentz is Indy bound after a somewhat messy breakup in Philadelphia. That means the Jags now have a new QB to get familiar with.

Similar to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the teams in the NFL often associated with finding a new quarterback this offseason. While they had a temporary answer last year in veteran Philip Rivers, he retired in January, leaving Indy without a QB1. 

As a result of their situation and Frank Reich’s ties to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Colts were one of the teams who entered the Carson Wentz sweepstakes with the former first-rounder looking to find a new team. On Thursday, they were able to win the sweepstakes by striking a deal with Philly that will send the Eagles a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional second-round pick. 

With a cap hit of $25.4 million coming their way this season, the Colts will undoubtedly be starting Wentz. That means the team will be enduring their third change at the QB1 spot in three years. Depending on which version of Wentz the Colts get, it also could help the Jags’ chances to win the division.

The Jags have already been a nuisance for the Colts over time, winning seven of their last 12 games against them. Included in that total is the only win the Jags acquired for the 2020 season, which was the Jags’ home opener. 

Only time will tell how much Wentz impacts the Jags’ and Colts’ rivalry. However, if the Colts are getting the player fans saw last year, this should be a win for the Jags. But if Wentz ends up returning to the player he was in 2017 (his last year with Reich), things could be interesting in the AFC South, especially if Trevor Lawrence is the star most believe.