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Sarah Barshop, ESPN workers author
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — After being launched by the Washington Commanders in February, Carson Wentz stayed in form, pitched usually and suited up for an additional group.
Wentz break up time in California and Indiana whereas unsigned, even working with former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden for a number of days throughout the begin of coaching camp. He threw to receivers on the time, he stated, however as soon as the season began he needed to discover an alternative choice: throwing to his older brother or “guys who work with us,” “simply somebody prepared to return out.” come. over there.”
“The previous few weeks it has been a little bit completely different after which I got here right here, however on the identical time it has been enjoyable,” Wentz stated. “Simply choose it up. And it is nonetheless soccer. It is not that sophisticated: simply go throw the ball.”
It has been a whirlwind two weeks for Wentz, who stated not signing with a group till Week 10 gave him much more time together with his household, time to coach and hunt. He stated his routine after the beginning of the season has been the identical from week to week: see what occurs throughout Sunday video games, then wait to listen to from his agent on Monday and even Tuesday to see if a group is excited about signing him.
The method was “tough,” Wentz stated, as a result of he isn’t affected person and “additionally a planner.”
With beginning quarterback Matthew Stafford injured, Brett Rypien had began for the Rams in Week 9. Rypien accomplished 46.4% of his passes for 130 yards and an interception and was later launched. Wentz flew to LA that Wednesday for a bodily and signed with the group earlier than returning to Indianapolis the place his spouse gave beginning to their third youngster, a lady named Hayes, that Friday. Wentz stated he flew again to Los Angeles on Sunday.
Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur stated Wentz arrives early and stays late, spending a number of time with quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson to get acquainted with the offense.
“I have been in some unusual conditions the previous few years,” Wentz stated. “I’ve needed to be taught a playbook yearly, however by no means like this throughout the season. So generally I really feel like I am consuming from a fireplace hose, simply making an attempt to collect what I can. However [Matthew] Stafford helped me tremendously. The coaches had been nice. I am simply making an attempt to soak up it as shortly as potential.”
The Rams have some expertise getting a backup quarterback up and operating shortly, because it was nearly a yr in the past that they waived Baker Mayfield and had him able to play two days later. Mayfield didn’t begin, however changed John Wolford after Los Angeles’ first drive and performed the remainder of the best way. The distinction between the 2 conditions, Rams coach Sean McVay stated, was the quantity of observe time Wentz has already had in comparison with Mayfield’s brief turnaround time. The Rams additionally count on Stafford to start out and clearly hope Wentz would not must play.
But when he does, LaFleur says, he thinks Wentz’s expertise and preparation will make him prepared.
“He asks 1,000,000 inquiries to ensure that when his quantity is named on Sunday, he is able to go and able to carry out,” LaFleur stated. “He is knowledgeable, you’ll be able to see that.”
It is a very completely different state of affairs than the 30-year-old quarterback is used to. Wentz was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 2 choose in 2016, however traded to the Indianapolis Colts throughout the 2021 offseason after dropping his beginning job to Jalen Hurts. He spent the 2022 season with the Commanders however was launched in February with two years left on his contract.
Wentz stated he did not play nicely sufficient final yr to earn a beginning job this offseason, so he was conscious of what his function would seemingly be if he did signal with a group this offseason.
“The NFL has a means of humbling everybody,” Wentz stated. “And it is a course of, however on the identical time I am not a dummy. I’ve seen all of it, I understand how this league works. All of us wish to be the participant who performs, do not get me flawed.” I believe anybody could be mendacity to you in the event that they stated in any other case, however all of us additionally know that it is a powerful enterprise, a tricky league, and to be on a group, to be with the fellows, it is it doesn’t matter what a blessing.’
These within the constructing say they will see how he has stepped into that backup function, prepared to assist the group. Stafford stated he can inform Wentz is “desperate to be taught,” a man who needs to “are available in and determine it out.”
Till after this season? McVay stated “that is nonetheless to be decided,” and that the Rams had been simply “excited to get him within the constructing.”
Wentz is not apprehensive about it both.
“I’ll assist in any means I can and I will likely be prepared,” Wentz stated. “I haven’t got to fret about subsequent yr, I do not fear in regards to the years after that. I can simply be the place I’m and have as a lot enjoyable as I can and assist the place I can.”
