Los Angeles Rams sign quarterback Carson Wentz

The Los Angeles Rams have made a significant move in the world of American football by signing quarterback Carson Wentz. This news was disclosed to The Associated Press by an individual privy to the deal. This source requested anonymity on Tuesday due to the stipulation that Wentz had to undergo a medical examination before the formal announcement. At the time of this development, the Rams were enjoying their bye week, providing an ideal window to finalize the deal.

Wentz's journey through the NFL has been nothing short of eventful. He sat out the entire current season after starting seven games last year for the Washington Commanders. The seasoned NFL quarterback initially gained recognition as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles for five consecutive years. In 2021, he donned the colors of the Indianapolis Colts, starting all 17 games for the franchise.

The Rams, currently standing at a less-than-ideal 3-6 record, are in dire need of quarterback depth behind their primary signal-caller, Matthew Stafford. Stafford, a highly-regarded quarterback, recently missed a game due to a thumb ligament injury. This absence was felt as the Rams experienced a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers in inclement weather. This setback extended their losing streak, casting a shadow over their performance since their Super Bowl victory.

Before Wentz's arrival, the Rams' backup quarterback position was occupied by Brett Rypien, who faced a daunting challenge as he struggled in a game against the Packers. His 13-of-28 performance included two fumbles and an interception, contributing to a 20-3 loss for the Rams. The Rams, recognizing the need for a change, took the step of waiving Rypien, which is a necessary procedure if they intend to designate him for the practice squad.

Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism about Stafford's return for the upcoming game against Seattle on November 19. However, the signing of Carson Wentz clearly indicates the Rams' desire to have a reliable insurance policy should Stafford's injury linger or he experiences another setback. Up until this point, the Rams had tried to navigate the season with Stafford and Rypien as their sole quarterbacks, although they had drafted Stetson Bennett in the fourth round earlier in the year. Unfortunately, Bennett had been away from the team since the preseason due to undisclosed reasons.

The Rams faced quarterback challenges last season when Stafford was sidelined due to a bruised spinal cord. The backup quarterbacks, John Wolford and Bryce Perkins, faced their own difficulties. The Rams ultimately acquired Baker Mayfield, who delivered a memorable win over Las Vegas shortly after joining the team. This impressive performance reignited his career, leading him to become the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the current season.

Interestingly, the Rams' General Manager, Les Snead, had a pivotal role in the past when choosing between Carson Wentz and Jared Goff as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Goff, who was selected, led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance before being traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Stafford, who subsequently secured a Super Bowl victory for the Rams.

Carson Wentz, over the course of his NFL career, has amassed impressive statistics, having passed for 22,129 yards and 151 touchdowns. While his career has been marked by high expectations and missed opportunities, he has consistently delivered solid performances. In 2019, he set a career-best by passing for 4,039 yards while playing for the Eagles. However, he lost his starting position to Jalen Hurts in 2020.

Wentz's 2021 season with the Colts was a highlight, as he passed for 3,563 yards with 27 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions. However, his journey took a turn when he joined the Washington Commanders in March 2022, but inconsistency and injury ultimately cost him the starting job. A broken ring finger further complicated his situation. Washington released Wentz in February, with two years remaining on his contract, and he remained unsigned throughout the offseason.

In addition to the signing of Carson Wentz, the Rams also made other roster moves. They waived running back Myles Gaskin and defensive tackle Cory Durden and released quarterback Dresser Winn from the practice squad. The decision to re-sign Winn last week was influenced by Stafford's injury, but it appears that the arrival of Wentz has prompted a reevaluation of their roster needs.