Carson Wentz gave receiver Michael Pittman a phone call after the Indianapolis Colts agreed to terms on a trade for the quarterback last week. Wentz wanted to meet Pittman — but the quarterback also wanted something from the receiver: his jersey number.
Wentz and Pittman have both worn No. 11 throughout their careers. And in a fairly surprising twist, Pittman has decided not to give the number to his quarterback. If a team acquires a quarterback, especially one like Wentz, who will be a $25.4-million cap hit in 2021, that player generally gets the number of his choosing. Sometimes, money has to exchange hands to make it work.
That’s not happening, apparently.
“I am number 11. I don’t think there’s any deal that is gonna be done. … He asked me very respectfully and I just appreciated him for that. I think he’s a great dude, because lots of guys with his status, they would come in and demand and stuff like that.”
So Wentz will have to prove himself after the worst season of his career — a total meltdown compared to his MVP-caliber season in 2017. He also has to find himself a new number.
