BREAKING: Los Angeles Rams Sign QB Carson Wentz In Wake of Matthew Stafford Injury
The Los Angeles Rams made a major move on Tuesday afternoon, signing veteran and former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Carson Wentz, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wentz is presumably being signed as a backup for starter Matthew Stafford, who injured the thumb on his throwing hand vs. the Dallas Cowboys on October 29, and was unable to go on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
In replacement of Stafford, the Rams started Brett Rypien, who guided the offense to just three points in a blowout loss.
Wentz was most recently with the Washington Commanders in 2022, played in eight games, and started seven of those games, going 2-5 as a starter.
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at FedExField.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
That season with Washington, Wentz completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,755 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
This is the second time in as many years that the Rams have been forced to turn to a veteran backup in the wake of a Stafford injury, with Baker Mayfield being signed last season after Stafford's season ended.
Mayfield was able to parlay the success of that stint with L.A. into a full-time starting role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
All that said, Rams coach Sean McVay remains hopeful that Stafford will be able to return in time for their Nov. 19 NFC West matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
“I hope so. That’s the hope. I know this... This guy is as tough as it gets,” McVay said. “He going to play through stuff that not a lot of people will do and we’ve seen that illustrated already this year... I’m hopeful. I don’t know enough about exactly where we’re at with recovery, the ability to grip the ball. I’m optimistic. I’ll leave that door open.”
And despite the signing of Wentz, with the Rams Now sitting at 3-5 and their playoff hopes on the line, Stafford coming back in time for that matchup will be critical.
