Shortly after their loss on Sunday to the Tennessee Titans in overtime, some members of the Colts’ media began to call for the benching of Carson Wentz. The move was proposed to preserve their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, so it doesn’t convey to the Philadelphia Eagles.

As everyone knows by now, Wentz has to play 75% of the snaps this season. Or 70%, and a playoff berth for the first-round selection to head to Philly. After this week, Carson Wentz has played 47% of the team’s expected snaps on offense, with the pick likely conveying within the next five games.

Anyone who thinks the Colts will bench Carson Wentz right now is certified crazy. This morning Titan’s franchise centerpiece Derrick Henry was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, opening the AFC South wide open.

Without Henry, the Titans have no identity on offense and they will likely crumble without him. At the same time, the Colts face the Jets and the Jaguars over their next two games. Despite their poor play, these two games are going to be a cakewalk for Indy. Meanwhile, the Titans play the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints and could easily lose both of those games.

So let me ask this, why would a team still very much alive in the playoffs bench their starting quarterback in the middle of the season to preserve a draft pick? The Colts don’t have a viable option to replace Carson Wentz, and we all know he doesn’t react well to being benched no matter the cause.

Alongside just making Wentz mad, you’re telling your entire team that you are giving up on the season. How do you think it will go over with Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson when you tell them to pack it in in week ten to preserve a draft pick. It also sends a massive signal to the NFl that they’re practically tanking.

Carson Wentz has had bad moments without a doubt, but he’s done nothing to realistically push him to the side for Jacob Eason. There’s a chance he could play horribly, and the move is made in the coming weeks, but there’s no legitimate possibility a move is made before the 75%. 

Frank Reich’s job is tied into Wentz alongside the front office, who sent the draft capital to acquire him. Hate to burst your bubble Colts fans, but your wishes aren’t coming true. After this weekend, the Eagles hold the 3rd, 8th, and 9th picks in the 2022 NFL Draft if the season were to end today.

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