Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered an ankle injury in Week 15, opening the door for Carson Wentz to save his career. The second-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz began his career as one of the most promising players in the league. After an encouraging rookie season, the North Dakota State product exploded with an MVP-caliber 2017, completing 60.2% of his passes for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the season.
While he never managed to recapture those heights, Wentz had a few more seasons as a solid starter before wearing out his welcome in Philadelphia. Following two unsuccessful seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders, Wentz had to accept life as one of the league’s better backups. However, with good quarterbacks hard to find, Carson Wentz could revive his career with the Kansas City Chiefs if Patrick Mahomes has to miss time.
Carson Wentz Could Land 2025 Starting Job With Strong Performance For Chiefs
As of this posting, we do not know how much time Patrick Mahomes will miss with his ankle injury. Early reports indicate the three-time Super Bowl champion is “week to week” with a high-ankle sprain. Depending on the severity and how well Mahomes progresses through the week, there is a chance he doesn’t miss a game. However, high-ankle sprains usually require a few weeks of rest before the player feels like their old self, so Mahomes might not be ready. Even if he is, the Chiefs might decide rest is more important and keep him as the emergency backup quarterback.
At 13-1, Kansas City has a two-game lead over the 11-3 Buffalo Bills for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs can afford to lose one game with no negative repercussions, so Carson Wentz could get at least one start for his current team. If he plays well, a quarterback-needy team could sign him to start in 2025. Nobody will consider him to be a franchise quarterback, but he could earn a short-term job with a team like the New Orleans Saints.
Uncertain Future In New Orleans
Nobody knows what the New Orleans Saints will do in 2025. The team will have a new head coach after firing Dennis Allen, and it sounds like General Manager Mickey Loomis plans on restructuring deals and keeping his chips on the table, instead of rebuilding and embracing the future. This means that New Orleans will probably roll with a veteran quarterback in 2025, but that player might not be Derek Carr. While the former Raider is under contract, he’s an unremarkable starter and a new coach might not want to hitch their wagon to the veteran quarterback.
Carson Wentz may or may not be an upgrade on Derek Carr, but the Chiefs quarterback should be cheaper and has a higher ceiling. Seeing as players like Chris Olave seem to be done with Carr, parting ways with the veteran might be the only way to avoid a locker room mutiny before the next head coach has a chance to install his regime.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher – USA Today Sports
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