Should the 49ers Sign Carson Wentz?
The free agent quarterback market just received a new name.
Carson Wentz is now a free agent after being released Monday by the Commanders. So Wentz is one and done in Washington just as he was in Indianapolis. The guy is playing musical chairs at this point with teams, which has to raise some concerns at the bare minimum. Still, he is a player the 49ers will probably look into.
Trey Lance is still working his way back from his ankle injury and Brock Purdy is yet to have surgery on his ruptured UCL. Adding a veteran free agent quarterback is pivotal for the 49ers. They need to have that depth and contingency. Wentz can be that. He isn't a bad player at all. Injuries are what ruined his 2022 season.
Before that, he started every game for the Colts and had some solid numbers throwing for 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions for 3,563 passing yards. His value at this point is certainly low now that he has found himself exiting another team. The 49ers won't need to surrender much of any resources to sign him and can make it an incentive laden deal. Wentz is at the crossroads of his career now and the 49ers are a team that he could see as a great avenue to help him bounce back.
So, should the 49ers sign Wentz?
Pass. Hard pass. It isn't just the player that the 49ers will be bringing in with Wentz. They have to consider the person. There is a reason he has been on three different teams in three straight years. Wentz is a toxic player. Red flags are definitely surrounding him. And while he wouldn't be the starter for the 49ers, the bad vibes he can bring just wouldn't be worth the hassle.
Everytime Wentz leaves a team, no one has had his back and said anything remotely positive. It didn't happen when he exited the Eagles and the Colts. I doubt it will happen as he finds himself leaving the Commanders now as well. There are other quarterbacks the 49ers can find in free agency that would be a better fit personality wise. Do not underestimate fit from a personality standpoint. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch pride themselves on players who are culture fits and not just player fits.
Wentz would not fit it. The 49ers should stay away no matter how cheap he may come. Plus, he carries injury concerns as well. For a team that needs a contingency plan for two recovering quarterbacks in Lance and Purdy, bringing in an injury prone player makes zero sense. Hard pass on Wentz for the 49ers.