Carson Wentz, Vikings
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
A new plot twist in the New York Jets’ search for a backup quarterback.
After trading for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY said veteran QB Carson Wentz was “squarely in the mix” to be QB2 on March 10.
However, things have changed.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said the Jets are “still exploring their options. They had interest in Carson Wentz, but he’s unlikely to be signing with the Jets as of now, according to multiple sources. Things can still change — but that’s where it stands.”
Zack Rosenblatt
On Jets QB2 situation:
They’re still exploring their options. They had interest in Carson Wentz but he’s unlikely to be signing with the Jets as of now, according to multiple sources.
Things can still change — but that’s where it stands.
“One thing I have stressed on Carson Wentz dating back to days before [the] legal tampering period: He has options outside NYJ,” Hughes added.
More Information on Where Jets Go From Here at QB
“There has been a lot of interest in Carson Wentz, and we’ve stressed this over and over and over on this podcast. Frank Reich loves Carson Wentz. Frank Reich wants Carson Wentz, not to be his starter; Geno Smith is going to be the starter, but he wants Carson Wentz in his room,” Hughes said on “Jets Final Drive.”
“From talking to multiple sources, while there has been interest from the Jets, Carson Wentz has other options on the table for him. It’s not just the Jets asking for Carson Wentz … It’s not dead: Carson Wentz to the Jets, but it’s seeming more unlikely because of some of these other opportunities that he has on the table,” Hughes added.
Wentz, 33, spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings. He started in five games and had a 2-3 record as a starting quarterback. Wentz finished with 1,216 passing yards, he completed 65.1% of his passes, and had a six touchdown to five interception ratio.
“As of right now, it doesn’t feel like Carson is going to be the No. 2. Whereas if you asked me yesterday, I would have said it did feel like that,” Rosenblatt said on “Jets Final Drive.”
“The interest in Wentz is real. There isn’t non-interest from Carson Wentz in the Jets. In fact, I checked in on this if he had ruled them out or said if he hates them or anything like that. It’s not that it’s just that sometimes when you’re a backup quarterback, there are better options out there,” Hughes bluntly stated.
The Jets Backup, Backup Plan at QB
If Wentz doesn’t work out, keep an eye out for Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton.
“The other one that keeps getting thrown out there obviously is Andy Dalton because of his ties with Frank Reich. The problem with him is that he is on the Panthers roster. They did just sign Kenny Pickett, but I don’t get the impression the Panthers are in a rush to trade Andy Dalton,” Rosenblatt explained.
“I think they might hold onto him for now, at least. Maybe they’re just doing that as leverage to see if somebody will send them a sixth-round pick or something like that. He makes a lot of sense. If you are not getting a Wentz type in free agency. I feel like Andy Dalton is an ideal No. 2 and an ideal veteran guy who knows the offense that Frank Reich is trying to install. Like he would be my choice if I had my druthers, probably. I’m not confident in saying he is going to be a Jet, but it makes a lot of sense,” Rosenblatt continued.