Back in 2016, when Chris Ballard was the Chiefs' director of football operations, the brain trust in Kansas City evaluated Carson Wentz leading up to that year's NFL Draft. And they were impressed with what they saw.
"We really liked him," Ballard told Jeffrey Gorman, Matt Taylor and Larra Overton on the Official Colts Podcast this week. "Once he started really rising up the board, we weren't ever going to be able to get close enough to get him. But we thought Carson was going to be a great pro coming in."
Wentz was picked second overall in 2016, with the Philadelphia Eagles aggressively trading up to select the quarterback from North Dakota State. In Philadelphia, he was paired with an offensive coordinator named Frank Reich.
By 2017, Wentz was playing at an extremely high level and the Eagles were among the best teams in the NFL.
"When you go back through the 2017 season when he was playing at an MVP level, there's a lot to get excited about," Ballard said. "And then re-uniting him back with Frank, who has shown and proven that any time he gets his hands on a quarterback he already has a relationship with there's a good chance it's going to be a good marriage and we're going to have success."
The Colts officially traded two draft picks to the Eagles for Wentz on Wednesday. The opportunity to re-unite Wentz and Reich has Ballard excited, not only for how much success they had together in Philadelphia but because of what the fourth-year Colts coach was able to do with Philip Rivers last year.
Reich spent three years with Rivers in San Diego as his quarterbacks coach (2013) and offensive coordinator (2014-2015) before their reunion in Indianapolis produced a postseason appearance.
"It's kind of like last year with Philip, it was kind of a unique opportunity with his relationship with Nick (Sirianni) and Frank," Ballard said. "And then we get another unique opportunity presented with us with one who has a connection with Frank. So we think we've got a young quarterback who still has upside and growth and we think Frank and the offensive staff will get the best out of him.
"... I have ultimate trust in Frank. Whatever he has, he's going to make sure he gets the most out of each and every player and do what they can do well. He's not going to put them in positions to where they're not going to succeed.
"And I think that's what makes some of the real unique offensive coaches in this league, that's what they do. And Frank is really special at it, him and the offensive staff. They're going to figure out what our guys can do and put them in a position to succeed. And I think they'll do the same with Carson.
"They'll put him in a position to do what he does well and why I think there's a high chance of success."
Look back at the best images of Carson Wentz during his college career at North Dakota State and then follow him during his time at the combine, NFL Draft and his service in the community.
FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2016, file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) carries the ball during the FCS championship NCAA college football game against Illinois State in Frisco, Texas. Wents is one of the top offensive players available in the NFL Draft, which starts April 28 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp, File)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) outruns several players during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Brent Smith)
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2016 file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes as Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson (40) applies pressure during NDSU's 37-10 win in the FCS championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State football coaches enjoyed some free advertising on the recruiting trail of this year's class. Wentz, NDSU's standout quarterback, was fresh off a dramatic national championship victory and wowing Senior Bowl observers when the Bison staff was putting the finishing touches on more than two-dozen new recruits. (AP Photo/Mike Stone, File)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) tries to pass the football while Indiana State linebacker Connor Underwood (55) and Indiana State defensive back Marcus Gray put pressure on Wentz during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Brent Smith)
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 201, 6 file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz accepts the trophy for the most valuable player after NDSU beat Jacksonville State 37-10 in the FCS championship NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State football coaches enjoyed some free advertising on the recruiting trail of this year's class. Wentz, NDSU's standout quarterback, was fresh off a dramatic national championship victory and wowing Senior Bowl observers when the Bison staff was putting the finishing touches on more than two-dozen new recruits. (AP Photo/Mike Stone, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2016, file photo, North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) scrambles with the ball during the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game at Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. North Dakota State football coaches enjoyed some free advertising on the recruiting trail of this year's class. Wentz, NDSU's standout quarterback, was fresh off a dramatic national championship victory and wowing Senior Bowl observers when the Bison staff was putting the finishing touches on more than two-dozen new recruits. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz throws a pass during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is interviewed by ESPN's Ron Jaworski during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quaterback Carson Wentz, center, smiles after his workout at the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is seen during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Bruce Crummy)
FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2016 file photo, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Even in a year when the quarterbacks don't appear to be slam-dunk naturals to make it big in the NFL, that's where the focus will be when the draft begins Thursday night, April 28, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz leaps during the long jump at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs the 40-yard dash drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North Dakota St. quarterback Carson Wentz responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota St. quarterback Carson Wentz responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State's Carson Wentz huddles with children during an NFL Play 60 event at Grant Park, Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Chicago before Thursday's first round of the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
North Dakota State's Carson Wentz hands off the ball during an NFL Play 60 event at Grant Park, Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Chicago before Thursday's first round of the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
North Dakota State's Carson Wentz hands off the ball during an NFL Play 60 event at Grant Park, Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Chicago before Thursday's first round of the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE - North Dakota State quarterback and draft hopeful Carson Wentz, works with students at Ariel Community Academy as United Way Worldwide and the NFL launched a new character education program called "Character Playbook," on Thursday, April 28, 2015, in Chicago. Students can use the computer based program. (Matt Marton/AP Images for United Way Worldwide)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE - North Dakota State quarterback and draft hopeful Carson Wentz enters an assembly at Ariel Community Academy as United Way Worldwide and the NFL launched a new character education program called "Character Playbook," on Thursday, April 28, 2015, in Chicago. Students can use the computer based program. (Matt Marton/AP Images for United Way Worldwide)
North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, right, poses for photos upon arriving for the first round of the 2016 NFL football draft at the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
North Dakota State's Carson Wentz poses for photos after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as second pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft pick Carson Wentz adjusts his tie clip before a news conference at the NFL football teams' training facility, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Philadelphia. The North Dakota State quarterback was selected as the second overall pick in the draft. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft pick Carson Wentz speaks during a news conference at the NFL football teams' training facility, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Philadelphia. The North Dakota State quarterback was selected as the second overall pick in the draft. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft pick Carson Wentz speaks during a news conference at the NFL football teams' training facility, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Philadelphia. The North Dakota State quarterback was selected as the second overall pick in the draft. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
