If the Washington Commanders are going to reclaim the NFC East, it starts with making Carson Wentz the solution, not a bridge.
It’s now or never for Carson Wentz. The Washington Commanders? They need now.
Wentz, 29, is about to play on his third team in as many years. After having a hideous campaign in 2020 for the Philadelphia Eagles in which he threw 16 touchdowns against 15 interceptions before being benched for rookie Jalen Hurts, Wentz was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts for first- and third-round draft choices.
In Indy, Wentz put up much better numbers but still didn’t impress. The Colts went 9-8 including two losses at the end of the regular season to the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, the latter of which Wentz had three turnovers in. Afterwards, it became apparent Indianapolis no longer wanted him, and got out from his contract when Washington took on the remaining money while sending the Colts a pair of Day 2 picks.
Despite only lasting in Indianapolis for one season, he still has a defender in head coach Frank Reich. On Sunday, Reich spoke to NFL Network about Wentz, and reiterated he felt the team had many more problems than Wentz’s play. Per NFL.com:
“Carson played a lot of good football. We did a lot of good things as a team, he did a lot of good things as a quarterback. Three quarters of the year we were one of the teams to beat, one of the teams everybody was talking about. And then we had a pretty big time collapse in the last two weeks of the season and we all take responsibility for that, starting with me as a head coach. What would be unfair is to make Carson the scapegoat.”
In Washignton, Wentz has help. The offensive line is decent although dealing with the loss of All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff. However, he has weapons in receivers Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, running backs Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic and tight end Logan Thomas. Additionally, Wentz has a strong head coach in Ron Rivera, and a winnable division to fight through.
Once considered an MVP candidate, Wentz has fallen swiftly in the NFL hierarchy of quarterbacks. He has another chance to reclaim his previously lofty status with a great campaign in the nation’s capital.
Yet with one more underwhelming season, it could well be the end of Wentz’s days as a starter.
And for Washington, it would mean a continued search at the sport’s ultimate position.
