The Kansas City Chiefs' free agent progress picked back up this week, with quarterback Carson Wentz and defensive end Mike Danna being the two headline players in recent days. With Wentz's contract signed, sealed and delivered, details for the 31-year-old's deal are out.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the one-year pact carries a base value of $3.325 million with $2.2M in full guarantees. Additionally, Wentz can earn up to $1.1M on top in per-game active roster bonuses.
"After waiting until November to sign last season, Wentz is now the clear No. 2 QB behind Patrick Mahomes in KC," Pelissero wrote.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 6, 2024Carson Wentz's one-year deal with the #Chiefs has a base value of $3.325 million, including $2.2M fully guaranteed and up to $1.1M in per-game active roster bonuses.
After waiting until November to sign last season, Wentz is now the clear No. 2 QB behind Patrick Mahomes in KC.
Wentz's contract, while still very clearly backup money, is a notable step up from that of previous Kansas City second-stringers. Last offseason, Blaine Gabbert signed a single-year contract worth a base of $1.165M and $1.317M in yearly cash. Prior to that, Chad Henne made $2.55M or less in each of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 campaigns. The Wentz contract is more in line with Henne's initial backup deal with the Chiefs, although that was a two-year deal worth $6.7M for 2018-19.
Earlier this week, Wentz spoke to local media about why he decided to sign with the Chiefs.
“Lots of unknowns about the future; I’ll take it one day at a time, first and foremost,” Wentz said. “Big intrigue to want to come here. Why I’m here today is just the winning culture. Seeing it from afar and seeing it from around the league the last couple of years, just the culture Coach (Andy) Reid has kind of set. You see it, and I’ve admired it for years. That was a big piece of the puzzle for me and the desire to be here on a winning team, in a good culture, in a good community with a good fanbase, it just seemed like a good fit.”
In two games with the Los Angeles Rams last season, Wentz completed 17 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also totaled 56 rushing yards and a score on 17 attempts. With Gabbert departing for free agency, the Chiefs didn't appear to be comfortable with Ian Book or Chris Oladokun being Mahomes's primary backup.
This contract value reflects that, as Wentz nets a solid salary and a chance to chase a ring with 2025 free agency being just one year away.
