Carson Wentz not taking Sunday’s begin without any consideration

With the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs having already secured the AFC’s prime playoff place, head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Wednesday that Carson Wentz would begin at quarterback forward of Patrick Mahomes in Sunday’s common season finale towards the Denver Broncos.

Wentz has began 93 video games since getting into the league as a first-round choice of the Philadelphia Eagles — below considered one of Reid’s former assistants in head coach Doug Pederson — within the 2016 NFL Draft. Sunday will mark his first begin because the final weekend of final season with the Los Angeles Rams.

Talking earlier than Wednesday’s observe, the veteran left little doubt what the chance means to him.

“I’m excited, honestly,” Wentz remarked. “I might not show it right now, but I think last year and then this year, again, you learn to not take these opportunities for granted. You play and start for however many years it was for me, and then you go and sit on the couch for half the season and then you kind of go back up last year, and I got one shot last year…It’s just not taking it for granted, having fun, and cutting it loose.”

Whereas his begin won’t influence the Chiefs’ playoff fortunes, Wentz’s expectations for himself haven’t modified.

Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures

“Obviously,” he defined, “I want to play well and have success out there and ultimately — more than anything — get a win. That’s the goal. Obviously, we know the circumstances. We know where we’re at and the reason I’m playing and not Pat and all the things, but I still go out there and expect to win. I’m going to prepare to go out there and win and have a good performance with this offense. We’re preparing for that.”

After leaving the Eagles, Wentz noticed stints because the beginning quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders. After serving because the backup for the Chiefs and Rams over the previous two seasons, Wentz doesn’t see the function altering his preparation.

“It’s obviously been different,” he admitted, “however I’ve stayed locked in [and] stayed prepared. I ready each week and actually form of had the identical routine since I’ve been within the NFL. [I’m] taking some issues from Pat and form of working with him, however on the identical time, each week I’m staying locked in and able to go and simply clearly not getting the reps.

“Going against our defense with our scout offense definitely does help me stay sharp — and helps all the guys stay sharp — because our defense is no slouch over there either. So, we’ve stayed locked in, stayed sharp, and it should be a fun one.”

Whereas the Chiefs have larger objectives in thoughts, a lot of the league will quickly transfer on to offseason plans — in a yr that quarterback choices will doubtless be restricted each in free company and the draft. Reid has been adamant all through the season he believes the Chiefs’ backup ought to nonetheless be somebody’s beginning quarterback.

“I take it day by day,” Wentz mentioned of future prospects. “I’m confident in myself. I’m confident in my abilities. What I’ve done in the past is in the past. Good, bad, and different — I’m still confident I can play and play at a high level. So, I’m looking forward to hopefully doing that this weekend and having fun while I’m at.”

Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Pictures

Whether or not a possibility in Reid’s offense helps his case stays to be seen.

“I’m still the same guy,” mentioned Wentz. “I nonetheless play, however each offense does have its personal nuances and form of play kinds. Some transfer the pocket extra and a few do that extra and so forth. I’ve been in a few completely different ones now, and I’m excited to have Coach Reid calling for me and form of see what that’s all about.

“We’ll see, but it does feel a lot of similarities to what I did first coming into the league with coach [Doug] Pederson. Obviously, it’s evolved over the years from there, but it does feel like it fits my play style, and I’m excited for it.”