The 30-year-old QB, who’s been on a bit of a tour lately with Eagles, Colts, and Commanders, Carson Wentz, finally landed in Los Angeles with the Rams. Why? Well, the New York Jets passed on offering him a deal. Yeah, the Jets who are grappling with offensive struggles, especially with their main man Zach Wilson under center.
But don’t get it twisted; they were quick to shield Wilson, putting the blame on the whole team’s lackluster performance. The Jets had a chance to snag Wentz after Aaron Rodgers got sidelined with an injury. Wentz’s camp reached out to them post a dismal 27-6 loss to the Chargers, as reported by Ian Rapoport.
No deal: Jets decline Carson Wentz
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Dov Kleiman, the NFL insider, spilled the beans, revealing that Wentz had been on the Jets’ radar since the veteran Rodgers fiasco. They decided not to put an offer on the table, though, standing firm in their belief in Wilson’s potential. So, where did Wentz end up? Signing with the Rams, that’s where.
Report: The #Jets were contacted by Carson Wentz's camp to see if they want to sign him after the 27-6 loss to the #Chargers, per @RapSheet
Wentz has been on the Jets' short list of potential free-agent QBs since they lost Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets declined to make him an offer… https://t.co/BnFkdvf8ov pic.twitter.com/KohnmfP137
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 12, 2023
According to NFL, Wentz, who’d been catching the Jets’ attention since the Rodgers fallout, gave them a ring after a particularly disheartening loss. But, sticking to their guns, the Jets didn’t budge and never extended an offer. The Rams, however, welcomed Wentz with open arms, securing him as a backup behind Matthew Stafford for a veteran minimum contract.
The big dream? That under the coaching wizardry of Sean McVay, Wentz could pull off a Baker Mayfield-style comeback. While Stafford’s future hangs in the balance, Wentz might just become the Rams’ go-to guy next season.
READ MORE – With the Rams Signing Carson Wentz, Did the Jets Miss Out on a Chance to Replace Struggling Zach Wilson?
Hold up, though. Before Wentz was in the picture, former player Colin Kaepernick was eyeing the Jets. He penned them a letter expressing his interest in donning the green and white.
Kaepernick’s letter: Staying in top form
In the letter, American civil rights activist Kaepernick, earlier made it clear that retirement wasn’t on his agenda, staying in tiptop shape with regular training sessions. Kaepernick pitched himself as an elite QB option, ready to step in if, God forbid, the main man Wilson took a tumble. His proposal? To be the practice squad QB, serving the team in a big way.
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“I am sure of my ability to provide you with an elite QB option if, God forbid, QB1 goes down,” Kaepernick wrote in a letter, and further added, “This plan, I believe, allows me to be of great service to the team as a practice squad QB.”
But here’s the kicker: the Jets reportedly passed on multiple offers for disability insurance on Rodgers’ contract before the 2023 NFL season kicked off. Fast forward to Rodgers tearing his Achilles in the season opener against the Bills, and now the Jets might be looking at a potential $20 million hit.
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Sportico spilled the details, saying offers ranged from $1 million to $4 million, with the pricier options covering a cool 60 percent, or $22 million, of Rodgers’ hefty $37 million contract this year. It seems like the Jets are sticking to their guns when it comes to contract insurance – consistency or costly gamble? Time will tell.
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