The quarterback carousel just keeps on spinning. After Aaron Rodgers reportedly agreed to re-sign with the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson agreed to a trade to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders got in on the action on Wednesday.
According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Colts have traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders for two third-round picks, plus a second-round pick swap, going from 47 overall to 42 overall in this year’s draft.
What’s also crucial is that the Commanders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, agreed to take on all of Wentz’s more than $28 million salary, including bonuses, which is not the norm.
Schefter said on ESPN that Washington “inquired” about Jimmy Garoppolo, but decided that Wentz was a better option. He said that Garoppolo is the next quarterback up in the trade carousel, but, “obviously Washington didn’t feel comfortable making that move (for Garoppolo).”
That’s interesting given what Rapoport reported after the trade. He said the Colts, whose general manager Chris Ballard has a close relationship with John Lynch, could be after Garoppolo.
Remember, Garoppolo will cost any acquiring team $25.5 million, or less, depending on whether that team takes on his roster and workout bonuses.
The Colts have now cleared an immediate $28-plus million which means they’d be saving just under $3 million by acquiring Garoppolo and may actually have to trade less for him than the draft price they just paid for Wentz.