We are less than two months into the new NFL season, and already an offseason move by the Kansas City Chiefs is looking like a masterstroke.
On April 2, the Chiefs signed Carson Wentz to be their back-up quarterback to Patrick Mahomes. At the time, the transaction seemed mundane, but after two injuries to high-profile quarterbacks in less than a week, the significance of that move has become apparent.
Less than a week ago, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain that will have him sidelined for three to six weeks. Then on Thursday Night Football, to open Week 2, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was removed after he took a hit to the head late in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills.
The Thursday night play on which Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion: pic.twitter.com/q7P5L7LiaK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2024
Tagovailoa fell to the ground and showed apparent signs of a concussion immediately. Soon after, it was confirmed that the 26-year-old had suffered his third NFL concussion. There is no timeline for his return.
The injury is a huge blow for Tagovailoa, and his long-term future in the NFL is now in serious jeopardy. For Miami, the injury now leaves the team with a huge gap at the most important position.
A call to trade for Carson Wentz
Former quarterback and current NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said Wentz should be one option the Dolphins consider if Tagovailoa is out of action.
“I think they’re [Miami] a good football team, and if I were the Dolphins, I think the two places I would try and call first would be Kansas City for Carson Wentz,” Orlovsky said.
“I don’t think that they would let him go, and Jacksonville for Mac Jones. I think the Dolphins have to try and figure out, or plan to figure out, who can they have or go get to win football games with, in case Tua can’t or decides not to go again.”
Hope and Pray for Tua
Who could be the option forward if needed? pic.twitter.com/hrGIfbJsz6
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 13, 2024
Why trading Wentz would be foolish for the Chiefs
Should the Chiefs flip a routine offseason signing into draft capital for the future? Absolutely not. The very reason why the Dolphins need Wentz highlights exactly why Kansas City shouldn’t trade him.
Injuries can happen at any time on a football field. And for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, a serious injury to a key player can be crippling. If there isn’t an adequate replacement to step in, it can be catastrophic.
Miami and Green Bay are now relying on Skylar Thompson and Malik Willis, respectively, to keep them afloat until their starts can return. For the Dolphins, there isn’t any certainty that Tagovailoa will return.
“I hope Tua’s gonna be okay. Obviously, I hope Tua’s gonna be okay,” Orlovsky said. “I think Tua should do what’s best for Tua, and Tua and his family should determine what’s best for him, and Tua and the Dolphins should determine what’s best for him.”
The Chiefs know better than most that an entire season could suddenly rest on a backup quarterback’s shoulders. Matt Moore and Chad Henne both filled in and won games that propelled them to a Super Bowl win.
Should the Chiefs need to turn to a backup quarterback again, Wentz is an excellent option. He has starting experience, has shown that he can win, and was even once a frontrunner to win the league MVP award.
Wentz’s resume and experience is exactly why Miami might come calling, asking to acquire his services. It’s also the very same reason why the Chiefs should turn them down.
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