Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder voluntarily stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the team following the Beth Wilkinson investigation into the team’s workplace culture. However, Snyder still handled the team’s football operations, including imploring to trade for quarterback Carson Wentz.
Back in July 2021, Snyder stepped aside from running the team. His wife and team co-CEO Tanya Snyder assumed the duties and represented the team in NFL meetings. Yet, in an ESPN report released Thursday, Dan Snyder was more involved in the team’s operations than the league would like to admit.
In one aspect, Snyder pushed team decision-makers to trade for Carson Wentz, per ESPN.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has insisted that he approached the Snyder’s about Wentz. But, a source told ESPN the Wentz trade was “100% a Dan move.”
Snyder is facing multiple investigations into the toxic workplace culture of the organization, including a second by the NFL and one by the U.S. House Oversight Committee.
“All my problems will be solved if I can just get a marquee quarterback,” Snyder told an associate, according to ESPN.
The latest report shines a new light on Rivera’s comments about Wentz earlier this week. When asked why the Commanders are in last place and behind the other three surging NFC East teams, Rivera replied “quarterback.”
He later tried to clarify his comments. The coach also addressed the team and Wentz once his comments went viral. Wentz and Rivera downplayed the situation, but ESPN’s report surely will lead others to ponder the relevance.
Snyder has a history of overstepping a decision on a quarterback. The drafting of Robert Griffin III led to discord between then-head coach Mike Shanahan and Snyder. Then in 2019, Snyder reportedly pushed for drafting Dwayne Haskins, despite previous coaches and front-office members arguing against the decision. Then-Washington head coach Jay Gruden didn’t hide his dislike of the decision.
In both cases, Snyder ultimately fired both coaches the following season after the draft selections of Griffin and Haskins, respectively.
Wentz is playing on his third team in three years. He got traded in back-to-back offseasons by the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. This season, he had a shaky start. Through five games, Wentz has 10 touchdowns, six interceptions, and has been sacked 20 times.
