INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Benson Mayowa #10 of the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Any Eagles fans regretting Philadelphia’s decision to part with Carson Wentz should feel better after watching this horrific interception.
There was a time when Carson Wentz looked as if he was on a path to become one of the best handful of quarterbacks in the NFL. That period of the Colts’ quarterback’s career feels like it was decades ago. His horrific interception against the Rams in the first quarter of Week 2 makes Wentz look like he’s totally lost at the game’s most important position.
The play call appeared to be an inside screen of sorts designed to take advantage of Los Angeles’ aggressive defensive line. Wentz dropped back to pass to create the necessary space required to complete the flip pass, but things went horribly wrong from there. Instead of hanging onto the ball when the pass wasn’t open Wentz elected to flip the ball into traffic.
Carson Wentz tossed a hilariously bad interception against the Rams
The result was all too predictable. Troy Reeder stepped in front of the ugly backhand flip to notch the interception. Instead of taking the lead Indianapolis gave the ball back to the Rams inside their own 10-yard-line in possession of a 7-3 lead.
HELLO TROY REEDER 👏@NFL | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/VG9QnKYlpV
— FanSided (@FanSided) September 19, 2021
Ironing the mistakes out of Wentz’s game should be a top priority for Frank Reich and the Colts’ coaching staff. He’s not devoid of talent, but he doesn’t look to be in control of his new offense. Helping Wentz create explosive plays isn’t nearly as important as helping him build confidence by protecting the football.
In fairness to Reich and the team’s offensive coaching staff, an inside screen seems to be a pretty conservative play call inside the red zone. They probably saw it as an easy opportunity to catch the Rams off guard and gift Wentz an easy touchdown throw. Instead, Wentz’s worst instincts took control and produced one of the ugliest interceptions NFL fans will see all year.