Carson Wentz could be in line for a surprising NFL comeback, this time with the Green Bay Packers, as questions swirl about the quarterback room behind Jordan Love. Love is set to undergo thumb surgery, and while Packers coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst have indicated he should be ready for Week 1, the situation creates a lane for a veteran presence to step in if needed this offseason.
Wentz signed with the Kansas City Chiefs with the aim of reviving his reputation and chasing a starting opportunity, especially given a weak quarterback market. He hasn’t yet found the opening he hoped for, and now his availability could become more relevant to a potential Giants-like shortage of veteran options around a young starter.
Green Bay’s depth behind Love has drawn scrutiny. Malik Willis provides a dual threat, but the Packers’ offense tends to look one-dimensional when he’s the starter. Willis’s success in Green Bay is often viewed as a credit to LaFleur’s system more than to the quarterback’s consistency. Behind Willis sits Sean Clifford, who is in a competition with Canadian football standout Taylor Elgersma. Elgersma showed some flash in limited action during the preseason opener against the New York Jets, though LaFleur has not publicly weighed in on how the team will shape its quarterback room or whether a third passer will be kept.
Bringing in a veteran like Wentz could simplify those decisions. If he signs, Clifford could become expendable, while Elgersma might have a pathway to the practice squad if there’s room.
There’s also a familiar connection to consider. Wentz’s potential presence in Green Bay could help Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs alum who’s struggled to lock down a roster spot with the Packers and even muffed a punt in the preseason opener. Hardman is currently listed as a third-string receiver behind Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, with Watson expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list. If Wentz joins the Packers, his prior chemistry with Hardman from Kansas City could prove beneficial and might help both players land roles heading toward the 2025-26 season.
A Packers-Kansas City reunion would make for an intriguing storyline, potentially giving Wentz a fresh start and offering Hardman a chance to reestablish himself in a familiar offense. For Green Bay, adding a veteran quarterback who knows the system and has worked with key pieces could provide valuable leadership and depth as Love recovers and the team evaluates its long-term options.
Key takeaways
– Green Bay could turn to a veteran quarterback if Love’s thumb rehab extends or impacts early-season availability.
– Wentz would bring familiarity with a KC-connected core and could help stabilize a crowded and unsettled depth chart.
– ThePackers’ decision could influence Hardman’s role and offer a back-channel path for a potential KC reunion in the future.
Summary: As Jordan Love faces a surgical setback and a shaky depth chart behind him, a veteran like Carson Wentz represents a plausible, low-risk option that could benefit both sides. If his signing materializes, it could also renew connections with Mecole Hardman and set up an intriguing cross-team storyline that extends beyond the current season.
A hopeful note: If Wentz can re-establish himself as a productive NFL quarterback and share his experience with a young Packers core, this move could inject veteran leadership and stability into Green Bay’s offense, while offering Wentz a legitimate shot at contributing somewhere meaningful this season.
Negative sentiment: None