Los Angeles Rams Almost Didn't Land QB Carson Wentz Thanks to the New York Jets

How did the Los Angeles Rams almost miss out on landing quarterback Carson Wentz?

Carson Wentz is a Los Angeles Ram, but he almost wasn't, according to reports released on Sunday.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Wentz signed with the Rams after the New York Jets failed to make an offer to the quarterback, opting to stick with Zach Wilson under center. Rapoport reports that Wentz's representation reached out to the Jets after an ugly 27-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 6, a particularly bad game for the offense in green.

The rest is history. Wentz then joined the Rams who were reeling themselves on offense following the injury to franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he now finds himself in L.A.

According to Rapoport, Wentz had been on the Jets' list of potential free-agents at quarterback since losing Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles in Week 1. If the front office and coaching staff lost faith in Wilson to run the offense, they could then turn to Wentz or another quarterback on the market to lead the team in Rodgers' stead.

Carson Wentz while with the Washington Commanders / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Details were also recently released on Wentz's contract for the Rams, and he is not receiving a massive amount of money to suit up for Sean McVay's team.

According to Field Yates of ESPN, Wentz is receiving a base salary of $1.165 million paired with a signing bonus of $150,000. His salary, however, is prorated over the nine weeks left in the NFL season, so his total payout reaches $732,500. If he is cut, the Rams are only on the hook for the $150,000 signing bonus.

That's not a lot of money in the NFL quarterback market, but this is Wentz's first opportunity of the season after being released by the Washington Commanders, so he may take whatever he can get.

The Rams did not play on Sunday, but they have their eyes set on a divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this week. Kickoff is slated for 1:25 p.m. PT, and the game will be televised on FOX.