If you were lurking around a card shop in 2017, you remember the fever. People were genuinely mortgaging their sanity for a Carson Wentz rated rookie card. He was the savior of Philly, the North Dakota kid with a rocket arm who looked like he’d be the face of the league for a decade. Fast forward to early 2026, and the landscape is... well, it’s complicated. Wentz is currently in that "veteran bridge" or backup phase of his career, most recently seen in a Minnesota Vikings uniform during the 2025 season.
Collectors have short memories.
When a guy goes from being an MVP frontrunner to a journeyman, his cardboard usually hits the floor. But the Carson Wentz rated rookie card—specifically the 2016 Donruss #356—occupies a weird, nostalgic space in the hobby. It's the card that everyone owned, everyone sold, and now, a lot of people are quietly buying back for the price of a decent burrito.
Why the Rated Rookie Logo Still Carries Weight
Donruss isn't Prizm. It’s not "high end" in the traditional sense. But that little blue and white logo in the corner? That’s hobby royalty. For Wentz, the 2016 Donruss set was the first time collectors got to see him in an Eagles jersey without the "Draft Picks" collegiate branding. It felt official.
Prices today are a far cry from the $500 peaks we saw when the Eagles were making that Super Bowl run. Honestly, you can snag a raw, base version of this card for $2 or $3. If you’re looking for a PSA 10, you’re probably looking at $15 to $20.
Think about that.
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A decade ago, this was the "it" card. Now, it's essentially a bulk item. But here is the nuance: while the base card is cheap, the parallels are where the real "investor" types still play. If you find a Press Proof Gold or a Canvas version, you aren't looking at pocket change anymore.
The Optic Factor: Why Collectors Prefer the Chrome
If the standard paper Donruss is the "budget" option, the 2016 Donruss Optic Carson Wentz Rated Rookie is the big brother. Released later in the 2016 cycle, Optic took the same design but gave it the "Chromium" treatment. It’s shiny. It’s sturdy. It’s significantly more expensive.
A PSA 10 Optic base card still moves for around $40 to $50. Why? Because the hobby loves "Optichrome." It doesn't chip as easily as the paper stuff.
- Standard Donruss: Paper stock, nostalgic, very prone to corner wear.
- Donruss Optic: Shiny, "Holo" parallels, much better long-term durability.
I’ve seen guys get burnt thinking a regular Donruss was an Optic because they looked at a grainy eBay photo. Don’t do that. The Optic version has that metallic sheen and a distinct "Optic" logo on the back. It matters.
The 2026 Market Reality for Wentz
Look, we have to be real about the player. In 2025, Wentz saw some action for the Vikings when J.J. McCarthy was sidelined, and while he had "flashes," he also reminded everyone why he's moved through five teams in five years. The "Wentz Wagon" has mostly lost its wheels.
But there’s a "Super Bowl LII effect" here.
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Even though Nick Foles finished the job, Wentz was the guy who got them there. In Philadelphia, he’ll always be part of that legendary 2017 squad. That gives his rookie cards a "floor." He isn't going to zero. He’s a "Ring of Honor" candidate for a major market team. That actually keeps his cards more relevant than, say, a Sam Darnold or a Marcus Mariota.
Variations to Hunt For
If you’re digging through bins or browsing COMC, look for these specific variations of the Carson Wentz rated rookie card:
- The "Press Proof" Parallels: These come in Blue, Red, Silver, and Gold. The Gold ones are numbered to 50 or less and are genuinely rare.
- Stat Line Variations: Some cards have his college stats on the back. These are short-printed and often overlooked by casual sellers.
- The "The Elite Series" Insert: Technically a different subset, but often lumped in. It’s a gorgeous card that captures the 2016 hype perfectly.
Is It a "Buy" or a "Bye" Right Now?
Is it an investment? No. Don’t buy 100 copies of a Wentz rookie thinking you’re going to retire on them.
Is it a cool piece of history? Absolutely.
For the price of a Starbucks latte, you can own the definitive rookie card of a guy who, for one year, was the best player in the NFL. There's a certain tragedy to his career arc that makes the cards feel like artifacts of a "what if" era.
If you're buying, stick to the Optic Holo or the Aqua /299 parallels. They have a limited supply. In a world where Panini printed millions of cards, rarity is the only thing that will save a player whose stats are declining.
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Your Next Steps:
Check your old "junk" boxes from 2016. If you find a Wentz Rated Rookie, look at the top left corner for the "Press Proof" text. If it's there, check the back for a serial number. Even a "Red" Press Proof can be worth 5x the base price. If you’re buying fresh, look for SGC or PSA graded 9s—they are often priced nearly the same as raw cards but give you the protection of a slab.