What Happened to Carson Wentz?

Carson Wentz's NFL journey began with immense promise when he was selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted FCS player in history. He quickly established himself as a franchise quarterback, culminating in an MVP-caliber season in 2017 where he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record, throwing for 33 touchdowns before a season-ending ACL tear in Week 14. Despite his injury, the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII with backup Nick Foles, a turning point that would subtly shift the narrative around Wentz's indispensable status. He signed a lucrative four-year, $128 million contract extension with the Eagles in June 2019, securing him through the 2024 season.

However, Wentz's performance began to decline in subsequent seasons, compounded by further injuries and inconsistent play. By the 2020 season, he was benched in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts, signaling the end of his tenure in Philadelphia. In March 2021, Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, reuniting him with his former Eagles offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, who was then the Colts' head coach. The Colts acquired him for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick that ultimately converted into a first-rounder. His single season in Indianapolis saw flashes of his earlier form, but a late-season collapse cost the Colts a playoff spot, leading to his trade to the Washington Commanders in March 2022.

His time with the Commanders was brief and largely unsuccessful. He started eight games in 2022, but injuries and poor performance led to his release in February 2023, making him a free agent. Wentz then spent the 2023 season as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams, playing in two games. In April 2024, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs to back up Patrick Mahomes, appearing in three games and starting the regular season finale. The Chiefs reached Super Bowl LIX but lost to his former team, the Eagles.

The 2025 season saw Wentz sign with the Minnesota Vikings in August as a backup to J.J. McCarthy. He was thrust into a starting role for five games due to McCarthy's injury, completing 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a season-ending shoulder injury in October 2025.

As of March 10, 2026, Carson Wentz is a pending unrestricted free agent. Despite his injury in 2025, he is expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming 2026 season. While the Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out the possibility of bringing him back, there are strong reports indicating that New York Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich, with whom Wentz has a long-standing relationship, views him as a preferred option for a bridge quarterback role. His future remains uncertain, but he is actively being considered for roles in the NFL.