The Chicago Bears are a potential candidate to ink a veteran backup quarterback for the second offseason in a row.
Chicago chose not to pursue that option ahead of starter Caleb Williams' rookie campaign, sticking with undrafted free agent Tyson Bagent as the No. 2 option. But there's a new coaching staff this season led by head coach Ben Johnson, and the backup QB question has returned with NFL free agency.
Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron on Friday, March 14, named 32-year-old Carson Wentz among Chicago's strongest options, as he heads into his 10th professional campaign.
"Wentz is available [and] spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs," Zimmerman wrote. "The Chiefs have signed Gardner Minshew and are going in another direction, so Wentz could be an option."
Wentz was the No. 2 pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL draft and earned Pro Bowl honors and Second-Team All-Pro honors in his second season. He sufferent an injury late in that campaign, but still finished third in MVP voting. Philadelphia went on to win the Super Bowl that year with Nick Foles under center.
That was the pinnacle of Wentz's career, though he remained the Eagles' starter for the next three seasons. He then started one year for the Indianapolis Colts and half of a campaign for the Washington Commanders before transitioning into a backup role with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.
Wentz remained a backup QB for the Chiefs last season. Zimmerman noted that he may still be seeking an opportunity that gives him a better chance to start at some point. However, if that kind of situation doesn't materialize, Wentz would make considerable sense in Chicago behind Williams.
Wentz owns a career regular-season record of 47-46-1 as a starter, and has thrown for more than 22,400 yards, 153 touchdowns and 57 interceptions.
