Carson Wentz Has Some Built-In Chemistry with Returning Viking
Carson Wentz was impressive in Week 3 largely due to something he didn’t do: turn the ball over.
Therein lies the key, doesn’t it? The Vikings don’t need the quarterback to be Superman. There isn’t even a need for Batman, Spiderman, or any number of other superheroes. Be sturdy and steady. Be timely and trustworthy. If successful, the Vikings will win more ball games than they lose with Mr. Wentz under center. From within that position — under center — Wentz is soon to see an upgrade.
Carson Wentz and Ryan Kelly Teammates from 2021
In fairness, the 2021 season feels like a lifetime ago for the NFL.
Mike Zimmer was still the head coach of the Vikings. Klint Kubiak was operating as the offensive coordinator while debates took place about whether Justin Jefferson could repeat his fantastic rookie season or whether a sophomore slump was coming. People were wondering whether Christian Darrisaw could become a strong left tackle.
Over in the AFC, Carson Wentz was beginning the second chapter of his NFL career as a Colt.
Working alongside Mr. Wentz was Ryan Kelly, the center who would work with no shortage of passers while in Indianapolis.
Kelly played in fourteen games that season, climbing up to 908 snaps on offense. In other words, that’s more than 900 opportunities to build a rapport with Wentz, the quarterback who played in all seventeen games while picking up 1,091 snaps. In fact, the basic numbers for Wentz — a 62.4% completion rate, 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions — are quite strong.
The communication between the two should be crisp and so should the exchanges.
Last week, Michael Jurgens did an admirable job of filling in. In all likelihood, the late-round center is going to be a backup in the coming seasons, but being able to elevate him for game action is a positive development. A 7th-Round player who becomes a reliable C2 is a very nice selection from the GM.
There has nevertheless been a drop off. Per PFF, Ryan Kelly is the NFL’s 3rd-best center, someone offering a sturdy 77.1 grade. Meanwhile, Jurgens finds himself at 36th … among the 36 under consideration. Jurgens sees his grade at 49.9.
Carson Wentz is very likely to see his old pal return, as Kevin O’Connell explained on Monday. The assignment — playing strong, not sizzling, football — will get easier to accomplish.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be a tougher test than the Bengals. Joe Burrow is one of the game’s truly elite quarterbacks, someone who elevates a rickety roster that has top-tier talent at some critical positions, such as edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. No such simplicity exists with Pittsburgh.
Mike Tomlin’s team isn’t what it once was — which is to say nothing of Aaron Rodgers not being the quarterback he once was — but that basic observation would be missing the point. The Steelers have a long track record of competitive competence. Coach Tomlin is excellent at what he does.
The point, folks, is that Carson Wentz can’t be counting on another Cincinnati scenario. The temporary QB1 will need to elevate, something that would manifest itself in throwing the ball away before taking a sack and by hitting his receivers in stride rather than having those narrow misses (Adam Thielen & Jalen Nailor come to mind).
A quarterback with a quiet mind and quiet feet has a much better chance of succeeding than one who is unsettled in these areas (just listen to Kevin O’Connell talk about a passer’s feet). To that end, Ryan Kelly is going to help.
Some excellent blocking is to be expected, of course, but even the pre-snap communication can make a difference. That’s where having a veteran like Kelly — someone who has played in 123 games — can really help. Plus, Kelly has been in the Twin Cities since March, allowing the lineman to soak up some intricacies of the Kevin O’Connell offense that may have eluded Wentz since arriving in late August.
Carson Wentz is demanding just $1,197,500 on the cap.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
