The biggest narrative following the Indianapolis Colts this offseason has regarded how the team is likely to move on from quarterback Carson Wentz.
While all of the smoke surrounding the situation points to a trade being more likely than not, there is still the chance the Colts run it back with the 29-year-old for one more season before cutting bait without any penalty at all.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell made the case for keeping Wentz in his article, “Making NFL offseason moves for AFC teams” on Monday. Here’s a snippet from the piece:
“Wentz’s future seems murky at best. Just one year after arriving in town for what would eventually become first- and third-round picks, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported earlier this month that the Colts are expected to either trade or release him before March 18, when the remaining $7 million of his $22 million base salary and a $5 million roster bonus will guarantee. The other $15 million is already guaranteed, so if Indianapolis can’t find a team to take on the deal, it will be on the hook for that $15 million whether or not he plays for the team in 2022.
With that being said: Are we sure this is a great idea? I’ve never been the most fervent Wentz supporter — and I don’t think we’re ever going to see the 2017 version of him reappear — but the only other quarterbacks the Colts have on their roster are Sam Ehlinger and James Morgan. Was Wentz really bad enough for the Colts to prefer starting over with a blank slate? Is it really worth writing off as sunk costs the first- and third-round picks Indy sent to Philadelphia?
…
If Indianapolis doesn’t think he is part of its long-term future, that’s one thing. If it gets offered a first-round pick by the Buccaneers or Steelers and wants to get off the Wentz wagon, I could understand. Still, given what the Colts put into acquire him, what they’ve already committed financially for 2022 and how competent he was for most of his lone season in blue and white, the idea of dumping him for nothing just doesn’t add up.”
If the Colts are frustrated enough with Wentz’s collapse at the end of the season in addition to his refusal to get the vaccine, it may not matter who will be his replacement. If Jim Irsay is adamant about moving on from Wentz, he’ll do it regardless of the financial penalties.
The Colts are likely to make a move before March 18 considering the bonuses that trigger in Wentz’s contract and even though we’re still a few weeks away from that deadline, we could get some news sooner rather than later.
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