Carson Wentz Working With Jon Gruden, Waiting For Right Situation To Sign

Adam Schefter reports that free agent QB Carson Wentz has been spending time in Tampa Bay, throwing and studying film with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden.

According to Schefter, Wentz wants and intends to play this season, but is awaiting the right situation before signing. 

Last we heard, Jeremy Fowler reported that Wentz was working out in Los Angeles in preparation for the 2023 NFL season.

Fowler mentioned there had been some interest but Wentz might wait until later on in the offseason to sign to see what develops. 

Wentz is reportedly open to starter or backup roles. Although, barring an injury, he likely would have to sign as a backup at this point given most teams have made their plans at the position already. 

There was some speculation after the end of last season that retirement could be an option for Wentz, given that he’s made a lot of money in the NFL and may not be all that interested in taking on a backup role. 

Wentz, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Eagles back in 2016. He was entering the final year of his four-year, $26.7 million rookie contract that included a $16.7 million signing bonus when the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option that would have cost them $22.78 million for the 2020 season. 

The Eagles signed Wentz to a four-year, $128 million extension going into the 2019 season that included $107 million in guarantees. However, Philadelphia opted to trade Wentz to the Colts for first- and third-round picks.

Wentz lasted just one year with the Colts before he was traded to the Commanders last year. Washington opted to release Wentz.. 

In 2022, Wentz appeared in eight games for the Commanders and completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions to go along with 86 yards rushing and a touchdown.