Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz is now on his third team in three years. Before his infamous season last year with the Indianapolis Colts, Wentz spent the first five seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Being traded to Washington puts him back in the NFC East division. Thus, he’ll be slated to play the Eagles twice during the 2022 season. The Commanders host the Eagles in Week 3. Then Wentz will get the chance for his first return to Philadelphia since being traded to the Colts in primetime Week 10 on Monday Night Football.
Talking with NFL Network after the league’s schedule release, Wentz tried to downplay his Philly return.
“I know that’ll be a big game. A lot of emotions. I’m sure fans will eat that one up and it’ll be fun — make for a good storyline. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be just another ballgame. It’s going to be a huge divisional game for us when that one comes. So I’m excited for it, but at the same time, I’m trying not to get too excited for that one, because, again, it’s just football. Can’t press. Can’t do too much.”
There will be a lot of emotions for Carson Wentz and Eagles fans
Selected second overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz was tabbed the Eagles franchise quarterback. In Year 2 he looked the part for the first 13 games, leading Philadelphia to an 11-2 record behind his MVP-caliber season. Unfortunately, a torn ACL ended his season.
Sidelined, Wentz watched his backup Nick Foles finish the season, leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl title. Wentz has since been chasing his 2017 magic. Ultimately, the magic fizzled in Philadelphia. After a disappointing 2020 season, he was traded to the Colts for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick that turned into a first-round pick.
Wentz’s first season in Washington will be full of reunions as the Commanders will also play the Colts in Indianapolis Week 8. He’ll also play against his former Eagles head coach, Doug Pederson, in Week 1 when the Commanders host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pederson was hired as the Jaguars head coach in February.
Both of Wentz’s stops in Philly and Indy ended in disaster. It’s widely perceived this may be his final chance to prove he can be a franchise-caliber quarterback. To do so, he’ll have to face a few foes of his past.
