Rams, QB Carson Wentz agree to free-agent deal

THOUSAND OAKS — The Rams are expected to sign veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, pending a physical, according to multiple reports.

In Monday’s media call, head coach Sean McVay said he was hopeful that starting quarterback Matthew Stafford would return to the lineup after this week’s bye week, but also mentioned the team would look at different options.

“Feel really good about Matthew and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team. We’re going to look at a lot of different things over this break here,” McVay said. “I’m optimistic that I don’t even think that’s something that we have to worry about, but we will figure out whether it be, not exclusive to the quarterback position but at some other spots, where are possibilities to be able to add competition. That could be one of them, but we haven’t made those decisions quite yet.”

It didn’t take long for the Rams to make a move, with Wentz coming in to replace Brett Rypien as the team’s backup quarterback. He could potentially see game action if Stafford isn’t ready to go by the team’s home game against Seattle on Nov. 19 after the bye week.

With Stafford sidelined Sunday, Rypien, 27, made his first start in his first season with the Rams, going 13 of 28 for 130 yards and no touchdowns with one interception in a 20-3 loss at Green Bay.

Wentz, 30, last played for the Washington Commanders during the 2022 season, going 2-5 in seven starts before fracturing the ring finger on his throwing hand. The injury led to a stint on IR and he didn’t return as the team’s starting quarterback.

The eight-year veteran’s best season came in 2017 with the Philadelphia Eagles, his lone Pro Bowl season, where he went 11-2 in 13 starts and threw for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns. His season ended prematurely after suffering a torn ACL, as the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII with Nick Foles at quarterback.

Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2021, for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first-round pick. The Colts traded him in March last year to the Commanders.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Wentz was selected by the Eagles after the Rams drafted Jared Goff first overall.

The Rams are expected to release quarterback Dresser Winn from the practice squad to make room for Wentz.