Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz is no stranger to changing teams. During his tumultuous nine-year career, he's already played for five different organizations and is on his way to a sixth.
However, he remains unsigned with OTAs right around the corner. Someone with his level of experience and success is typically swooped up by now, yet the likely suitors have gone in different directions.
There was no expectation that he would return to Kansas City once the Chiefs acquired Gardner Minshew. That said, the most recent backup to Patrick Mahomes usually has some value. In an embarrassing turn of events for Wentz, the Denver Broncos are now bringing in a journeyman third-stringer for a tryout ahead of him.
With QB Desmond Ridder backing out of his vet tryout, Broncos are bringing in former Notre Dame/Saints QB Ian Book for vet tryout during rookie minicamp.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) May 9, 2025
Sean Payton selected Book in 4th round of 2021 draft for NO.
Book with Chiefs early and Eagles late last year. Not bad.
Carson Wentz Passed Over for Tryout by Broncos in Favor of Ian Book
As Broncos insider Mike Klis reports, Denver is bringing in former Notre Dame and Chiefs quarterback Ian Book for a tryout. This comes on the heels of failed Atlanta Falcons signal caller Desmond Ridder backing out of his reported tryout, and it's unfortunate for Wentz that he can't even get a chance under these circumstances.
In fairness, as Klis points out, Broncos head coach Sean Payton drafted Book in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft when he was with the New Orleans Saints. There's some familiarity there, and Wentz didn't show much in his limited action last year to suggest he deserves an opportunity.
During his lone start, in Week 18 against Payton's Broncos, he completed just 10 of 18 passes for 98 yards while taking four sacks. Payton's defense destroyed him, winning 38-0, and it was hardly the audition that Wentz hoped for.
By all accounts, Wentz was a good teammate during his time in Kansas City. He's 32 years old now, though, and reports of his poor leadership with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts may have soured the league on him.
Wentz may have been thrown a lifeline with the sudden retirement of the Saints' Derek Carr. They only have Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough competing for the starting job right now, and Wentz is certainly more accomplished than those guys.
We'll see what happens, but Wentz needs to take any opportunity that comes his way at this point.