‘The Carson Wentz Reclamation Project’ named Colts’ biggest concern

The Indianapolis Colts have a lot of work in front of them when it comes to getting new quarterback Carson Wentz back to a high level of play in 2021 and beyond.

Taking on that project after trading away two draft picks is cause for concern in the eyes of Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, who named “the Carson Wentz reclamation project” as the team’s top concern entering the 2021 season.

“In many respects, the Indianapolis Colts have everything it takes to make a deep playoff run. The offense has ample skill-position talent and one of the league’s best lines. The defense ranked inside the top 10 in both yards and points allowed.

But all those assets won’t be much use to the Colts if their new quarterback doesn’t do the job.

Wentz was putrid in Philly last season. He completed 57.4 percent of his passes and tied for the league lead with 15 picks before losing the starting job.

In an interview with Robert Mays on The Athletic Football Show (h/t Andrew Thomison of Stampede Blue), Colts general manager Chris Ballard allowed that while Wentz struggled in 2020, a reunion with Frank Reich (who coached Wentz in Philadelphia) could turn things around.

“Look, Carson’s got some things that he’s got to do better, and he’s worked really hard this offseason on them,” Ballard said. “But I think it’s gonna be fun to watch this year—I think it’s gonna be fun to watch Carson and our team come together and play together.”

Given what the Colts gave up to obtain Wentz (a first-rounder in 2022 if Wentz plays 75 percent of the snaps or plays 70 percent with a playoff berth), Indy is taking a sizable risk that the reclamation project will be a success.”

The Colts are optimistic they can get Wentz back to form. He may never reach 2017 levels again but if they can get him to be a top-12 quarterback, it could turn out to be a solid deal for both sides.

Wentz has made a strong early impression on his new teammates from the spring workouts, and they have been getting immense work done throughout the offseason on their own. He’s also shown a drive to correct the mechanical issues in his throwing motion, which bodes well for a bounce back.

It’s still best to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to projecting Wentz’s season, and we’ll finally get to see that first step when training camp arrives in just over one week’s time.