Rams to sign veteran quarterback Carson Wentz

Seven years ago, after trading up a record 14 spots, the Rams considered selecting North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz as the first pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

The Rams ultimately opted to choose quarterback Jared Goff, and the Philadelphia Eagles took Wentz with the No. 2 pick.

On Tuesday, the Rams finally brought Wentz into the fold.

With quarterback Matthew Stafford working through a right thumb injury, the Rams agreed to terms with Wentz, said people with knowledge of the situation who could not speak publicly about the pending signing and requested anonymity.

Wentz, 30, has played for the Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders.

The Rams want Wentz to back up Stafford, who sat out Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.

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Brett Rypien started in Stafford‘s place, but the offense generated only 187 yards during the 20-3 defeat that dropped the Rams’ record to 3-6 and extended their losing streak to three games.

The Rams have an open date this week, and coach Sean McVay indicated on Monday that Stafford would return for the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19.

Asked if Rypien would start if Stafford cannot, McVay said, “We’re going to look at a lot of different things over this break … but I’m optimistic that I don’t even think that’s something that we have to worry about.”

On Tuesday, the Rams waived Rypien and released quarterback Dresser Winn, who had been signed to the practice squad last week.

This is the second season in a row that the Rams have added a veteran quarterback who was a first-round pick.

In 2022, after Stafford suffered a season-ending spinal injury and backup John Wolford struggled, the Rams signed Baker Mayfield, who started the final five games, going 2-3, in the Rams’ horrible 5-12 season.

Wentz has passed for 151 touchdowns, with 66 interceptions, in his pro career.

Wentz played six seasons with the Eagles. In 2017, he suffered a late-season knee injury against the Rams at the Coliseum. Nick Foles replaced Wentz and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl title.

Before the 2021 season, the Eagles traded Wentz to the Colts, where he went 9-8 as a starter.

Before the 2022 season, he was dealt to the Commanders. He was 2-7 as the starter and passed for 11 touchdowns, with nine interceptions.

In this year’s draft, the Rams selected former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round to be Stafford’s backup.

But Bennett struggled at the end of the preseason, and he has not been with the team since being placed on the non-football injury reserve list for an unspecified issue.