Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich met with the media on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Most of the talk was expectedly surrounded by the Carson Wentz saga. Though general manager Chris Ballard kept it pretty close to the vest, both he and Reich kept open the possibility that Wentz could be gone this offseason.
With that, Reich still made it clear he believes in Wentz as a player, especially since Reich was the one who was pounding the table for the 29-year-old.
“I know I believe in Carson (Wentz). I believe in him. I stuck my neck out for him. I stuck my neck out for him last year,” Reich told the media Tuesday. “I was a big part of that decision to get him here and so I believe he’s going to continue to have a lot of success at quarterback – that might be here, it might not be here. That decision has yet to be determined, but I still believe in the person and I still believe in the player.”
Reich was Wentz’s staunchest supporter during the 2021 offseason and was the main reason the Colts ever made the trade to acquire him in the first place.
The Colts still have until March 18 to try to get a deal done before Wentz triggers roster bonuses in his contract. They can still trade him afterward, but it might be a bit more difficult after that deadline.
As for the decision to bring in Wentz, Reich understands he has to take accountability for the role he played if the quarterback winds up being dealt.
“I mean, I think that’s just the way it played out. We didn’t finish the season the way we should have, all of us – every one of us, players and coaches,” Reich said. “So, if we finish the season the way we’re supposed to, we’re probably not having this discussion. We have to take ownership of it. I do as the coach, every player. Head coach and quarterback are under the most scrutiny. So, we live with that and move forward.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with the entire Wentz saga but there is a good chance we see Reich working with his fifth starting quarterback in as many seasons.
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