Following their bye week, the Los Angeles Rams are making a significant change to their quarterback lineup by bringing in veteran signal caller Carson Wentz as the new backup. Wentz, with 92 career starts over seven seasons, was signed last Tuesday, leading to the departure of Brett Rypien, who had a lackluster performance against the Green Bay Packers before the bye week. Rams coach Sean McVay explained the decision during a press conference on Monday, emphasizing his confidence in the availability of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had a sprained UCL.
McVay clarified that the move was aimed at upgrading the quarterback room, providing insurance in case Stafford is unavailable. He highlighted Wentz’s extensive experience in high-level football as a key factor in the decision, expressing the intention to familiarize him with the team’s strategies. Wentz, originally drafted second overall in 2016 by the Philadelphia Eagles, spent five seasons as their starter before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts for one season. Subsequently, he was traded again, this time to the Washington Commanders. Wentz had a mixed season in Washington, starting as the main quarterback, losing the position to Taylor Heinicke, and later rejoining the lineup towards the end of the campaign. Despite his ups and downs, Wentz’s time with the Commanders concluded in the spring.
The 30-year-old quarterback remained unsigned throughout the summer and the first 10 weeks of the season before joining the Rams. McVay justified the decision, citing Wentz’s wealth of experiences and the discussions around his potential inclusion. The various situations and considerations ultimately led the team to believe that acquiring Wentz was the right decision.
During the bye week, Carson Wentz arrived in Los Angeles and underwent a physical before returning home to spend time with his family. Despite being away, he dedicated a substantial amount of time to virtual meetings with Rams offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, focusing on mastering the offensive terminology. This effort became evident when Wentz joined the team for practice on Monday, showcasing his ability to absorb a significant amount of information in a short period.
Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed his admiration for Wentz’s professionalism, noting that even during the physical examination the previous week, he was impressed with Wentz’s approach. McVay highlighted Wentz’s performance in practice, emphasizing his command in the huddle and execution on the field. There is a notable level of mutual respect between Wentz and starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, with Wentz quickly establishing himself as an integral part of the team.
“He’s been a pro in every sense of the word,” McVay commended. “Even when he came in for his physical last week … (I) was just so impressed with how he’s approached this last week. Even just going through where he got a bunch of reps today in practice and the way that he handled it, the huddle command, the execution. He’s been exposed to a lot of football but he was a pro in every sense and we’re glad to have him in the building.”
As the Rams prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, Wentz is expected to observe from the sideline, ready to contribute as the team’s backup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PST.
