Carson Wentz has routinely taken the high road when asked about his time with the Indianapolis Colts.Â
Scathing comments from Colts owner Jim Irsay didnât cause Wentz to change.
Speaking to Fox Sportsâ Colin Cowherd, the new Commanders quarterback laughed initially when given a chance to respond to Irsay telling reporters that acquiring Wentz last year was a âmistake.â The Colts traded Wentz after just one year, parting ways after a disastrous end to the season in which Indianapolis blew a chance to make the playoffs.
âEveryoneâs entitled to their own opinion,â Wentz said. âI thought last year was a really fun year. I thought we did some incredible things, came up short at the end. Obviously I struggled down the stretch there and timing was poor. But yeah, I didnât expect that. I didnât expect things to unfold the way they did and I thought things were in a pretty good place there.â
Irsayâs opinion, it seems, was one of the main factors that led Indianapolis to move on. Â
âThe worst thing you can do is have a mistake and try to keep living with it,â Irsay told reporters earlier this offseason. The Colts swapped second-round picks with the Commanders and gained two thirds â one that can become second next year â in the deal.
Though the Colts didnât have a replacement lined up when trading Wentz, Indianapolis later acquired former MVP Matt Ryan to be its next starter.
Earlier this month, Colts general manager Chris Ballard told multiple outlets that Indianapolis would have âhad conversationsâ about moving on from Wentz even if the team had made the playoffs.Â
Statistically, Wentz performed well for large parts of the 2021 season. But he struggled down the stretch, failing to throw for at least 200 yards in back-to-back losses against Las Vegas and Jacksonville to end the year. Irsay has implied that Wentz lacked leadership, saying the âfit just wasnât rightâ while noting there were chemistry issues.Â
Wentz said he âcouldnât say enough good thingsâ about Indianapolis.
âIt kind of came out of left field,â Wentz said. âHeâs entitled to his own opinion and heâs entitled to do what he wants with his football team.â