Subscribe
Follow Us
The Indianapolis Colts had a relatively disappointing season. They started 0-3 and finished the regular season with a 9-8 record and no chance at a playoff run. This was the first year that starting quarterback Carson Wentz led the team, which automatically puts a lot of the lackluster season on him.
Many times, quarterbacks undeservingly face the brunt of criticism a team receives when they underperform. However, the criticism Wentz endured this season and into the offseason is warranted. He could be one of the players that the Colts send packing in the 2022 NFL Offseason.
To completely understand Wentz and his recent struggles in the league, you have to go back to his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. They selected him second overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, and the Eagles went 7-9 with the rookie starting all 16 games.
In 2017, Wentz was in his prime. He dominated all season and led the Eagles to the NFC East Title win in Week 14. However, he suffered a torn ACL in the process and missed the rest of the season, including the team's first Super Bowl victory.
This sparked one of the biggest quarterback controversies in Eagles' history. He spent the next few seasons fighting back and head injuries to keep his spot as the starter. Ultimately, the Eagles decided that rookie Jalen Hurts was the guy of the future. He became the starter in December of 2020, and Wentz was traded to the Colts during the 2021 NFL Offseason.
All in all, Wentz hasn't had a smooth ride in the NFL. He found his footing his second year, suffered a season-ending injury, and watched his replacement finish what he started. Then, after suffering multiple serious injuries, the Eagles found another replacement and sent him off to Indianapolis.
His unfortunate past is no excuse for Wentz and the performance he had this season. He was completely healthy when he began his career with the Colts, and had no reason to underperform.
Wentz was in the bottom 50 percent in passing yards and ranked 16th in most quarterback rushing yards. His replacement in Philadelphia had the most rushing yards on the season with 784, while Wentz had 215 (per StatMuse).
At this point in his career, the Colts quarterback should be competing with the top guys in the league. There are much less experienced players that led their teams to playoff runs this season, while the Colts were watching from home.
Second-year quarterback Joe Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance at only 25 years old. New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones made his playoff debut as a rookie. Kyler Murray led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs in his third year in the league, while Jalen Hurts led the Eagles to a playoff run in his first full year as the starter.
The point is, why can these guys do so much, but Wentz can't bring success to the Colts?
Wentz's main two problems are staying healthy and consistency. He proved his fragility during his career with the Eagles, and Colts fans flinch every time they see him on the ground. At 29 years old, he isn't getting any younger and needs to focus on his physical health.
His inconsistency shined through this season, and his performance seemed to decline as the weeks went on. Wentz had four games with a completion percentage over 70, and five games with a completion percentage of 55 percent or lower.
At the end of the day, Wentz is likely sticking around in Indianapolis for a little longer. But, if the rumors come to fruition and he gets the boot this offseason, don't be too surprised.
