Los Angeles Rams Add Free Agent Quarterback Carson Wentz
Posted on: November 8, 2023, 09:59h.
Last updated on: November 8, 2023, 10:43h.
The Los Angeles Rams signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz to bolster their roster after Matthew Stafford sustained a thumb injury in Week 8.
Wentz was the most notable free agent who had yet to sign with a team this season.
The Rams have a bye in Week 10, which provides Wentz extra time to study the playbook and become familiar with his new teammates.
Wentz has a 46-45-1 record as a starter with three different teams. He has a career completion percentage of 62.6% with 22,129 passing yards, 151 touchdowns, and 66 interceptions.
The Eagles selected Wentz from North Dakota State with the #2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Rams had the #1 pick that year, but selected Jared Goff from Cal instead.
Stafford Injury More Serious?
In Week 8, Stafford was knocked out of a game against the Dallas Cowboys with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. Backup quarterback Brett Rypien finished the game, which the Rams lost, 43-20.
An MRI revealed that Stafford sprained the ulnar collateral ligament. The Rams didn’t designate him to the injured reserve list, but he didn’t play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9.
Rypien started against the Packers and struggled in a 20-3 loss. He completed 13-of-28 passes for 130 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. Under Rypien, the offense has generated six points and zero touchdowns in five quarters since he replaced Stafford.
Stafford is listed as questionable on the injury report. Head coach Sean McVay hinted that Stafford could be ready to play when the Rams host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11.
Feel really good about Matthew and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team,” said McVay.
If Stafford can play in Week 11, then Wentz will handle backup duties. If Stafford is unable to play against the Seahawks, Wentz will most likely start over Rypien.
When Stafford suffered a spinal cord injury and multiple concussions late last season, the Rams signed Baker Mayfield. The Carolina Panthers had just cut Mayfield, and he started the final five games of the season for the Rams. Mayfield joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the off-season.
Wentz’s Chance at Redemption
Wentz posted a 35-32-1 record in five seasons with the Eagles. Even though the Eagles won a Super Bowl in 2017, Wentz was injured, and backup Nick Foles helped the Eagles run the table in the playoffs to win Super Bowl LII.
The Indianapolis Colts acquired Wentz in a trade in 2021, and they sent the Eagles a first-round pick and a third-round pick. The trade reunited Wentz with Frank Reich, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator before he took over as head coach of the Colts.
Wentz played one season with the Colts and posted strong numbers. He has a 62.4% completion rate with 3,563 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in 17 games while tying a career-low with seven interceptions. Wentz led the Colts to a 9-8 record, but they bubbled the playoffs.
The Washington Commanders acquired Wentz in a trade last off-season. He went 2-5 in seven starts with the Commanders, but spent time on the IR with a fractured finger on his throwing hand. He completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,755 yards, with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Commanders released Wentz, who still had a couple of seasons remaining on his contract, in February.
When New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in the first game of the season, Wentz was on the shortlist of possible candidates to replace him. The Jets stuck with backup Zach Wilson, and Wentz remained unsigned until this week.
Rams in Middle of Three-Game Skid
The Rams sunk to 3-6 this season after losing three games in a row. They currently occupy third place in the NFC West.
All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp began the season on the IR with a hamstring injury. But rookie wideout Puka Nacua had a sensational first month of the season.
Second-year running back Kyren Williams emerged as RB #1 before he was sidelined with a high ankle sprain in Week 6. Williams is slated to return in Week 12, but the Rams are short-handed at the running back position after they traded an unhappy Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings.
The San Francisco 49ers started the season 5-0, but also dropped three straight games. The 49ers are tied with the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West at 5-3.
The 49ers are the betting favorite to win the division at -320 odds, followed by the Seahawks at +255 odds and the Rams at +3500 odds. Even though the Rams are a long shot to win the NFC West, they’re 2-1 in divisional play this season.
After the bye, the Rams host the Seahawks (Week 11), Cleveland Browns (Week 13), Commanders (Week 15), and New Orleans Saints (Week 16).
The Rams hit the road for four more games against the Arizona Cardinals (Week 12), Baltimore Ravens (Week 14), New York Giants (Week 17) on New Year’s Eve, and the 49ers (Week 18).
The Rams are a long shot to win the Super Bowl at +20000 odds and are +1200 odds to win the NFC Championship.
On the look-ahead line for Week 11, the Rams are a +3 home underdog against the Seahawks. The Rams have a 4-4-1 record against the point spread this season.
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