Carson Wentz open to ‘any role’ as former Commanders starter remains unsigned

Former Washington Commanders starter Carson Wentz is reportedly open to “any role” as he remains unsigned. 

ESPN reported Sunday that Wentz has been working out in Los Angeles in preparation for the coming NFL season. And while Wentz doesn’t have a job, the network added that the 30-year-old has received interest from teams and “might wait longer into offseason to see what develops.”

The likelihood that Wentz will land a starting job, at this point, appears slim. After the Commanders traded for him last season, Wentz disappointed in eight games — he went 2-5 as a starter and lost his starting job multiple times. The Commanders stuck with a healthy Taylor Heinicke after Wentz broke his finger in Week 6 and though Wentz was inserted again into the lineup starting in Week 16, he was benched the final week of the season following a horrific performance against the Cleveland Browns. 

But that Wentz, the second overall pick in 2016 who was cut by Washington in February, now appears onboard with a backup job isn’t surprising. While his benching in Philadelphia in 2020 caused him to demand a trade from the Eagles, Wentz publicly said all the right things about working behind Heinicke last season.

“As a competitor, you want to be out there — I’d be lying if I said otherwise, you come to work you want to play, this is what you sign up for,” Wentz said. “But at the same time, I have a great relationship with Taylor and all the guys. 

“I’ve been happy to see him succeed and what he’s been able to do. I’m going to do what I can to help and support him and be a part of this and stay ready to go because this league’s crazy. Things happen.” 

If Wentz signs elsewhere, he’ll join his fourth team. So far, Wentz has played for the Eagles, the Indianapolis Colts and the Commanders. 

Updated free agent QB Carson Wentz on @SportsCenter…He’s been working out in L.A. in preparation for the season, he’s received interest from teams and he might wait longer into offseason to see what develops. But he’s open to any role, I’m told (starter or backup)

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 14, 2023