Colts' Carson Wentz Says He Has a 'New Passion' for Football Since Eagles Trade

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz says he has a "new passion" for football after being traded from Philadelphia this offseason.

“I really feel like I have a new passion for the game,” Wentz told Beth Hoole of Valley News Live. “I’ve been high, I’ve been injured, I’ve been, now, benched, I’ve been traded, I’ve kinda seen a lot in five years, and so whatever the game throws at me, I’m ready.”  

The Eagles traded Wentz to Indianapolis in March for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round selection that could become a first if Wentz hits certain playing-time incentives. The decision to trade Wentz came after a falling out with the organization, including coach Doug Pederson, who was fired in the offseason.

Wentz is also coming off the worst season of his career, a year that saw him descend from franchise face to one of the sport's worst quarterbacks. He threw for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, tying for the league lead in the latter category despite being benched for four games.

Colts head coach Frank Reich and Wentz spent two seasons together in Philadelphia when Reich was the Eagles' offensive coordinator. The 28-year-old signal-caller had his best professional season under Reich's tutelage in 2017, throwing for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions. 

“I’m excited, I’m excited for it,” Wentz said of playing for the Colts. “Just being in the organization and being in the facility, it’s definitely a special place. It’s really got a family vibe and a family element … just to know there are some guys before me who had done incredible jobs and really are legends in that city is exciting.”

Wentz is joining a succession of quarterbacks that includes Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers, with the latter spending one season in Indianapolis before retiring after the 2020 campaign.