Carson Wentz has been named the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders. Wentz will lead the Commanders on the field Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera picked Wentz over Taylor Heinicke, who started the past nine games in Wentz’s absence. Wentz missed eight games after breaking his finger in a Week 6 win against the Chicago Bears.
Heinicke came in and sparked the Commanders, who then had a 2-4 record. Washington won five of their first six games with Heinicke at the helms. However, Washington’s momentum fizzled in recent weeks, with the Commanders going 0-2-1 in their last three games.
Last week against the 49ers, after back-to-back turnovers, Heinicke got benched in the second half in favor of Wentz. Down 30-13, Wentz led the Commanders on a touchdown drive. But the 49ers held on 37-20.
Commanders can make the playoffs and still save draft pick
The Commanders needed to address the quarterback situation due to Heinicke’s sputtering. Washington is holding on to the seventh and final NFC playoff spot with a 7-7-1 record. If the Commanders win their last two games, they’re in the playoffs. But a loss coupled with wins by the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers this week would eliminate the Commanders from contention.
The Commanders traded for Wentz this offseason and fully took on his $28.3 million cap hit. It is Wentz’s ship to right or sink. But, the Week 6 finger injury became a blessing in disguise.
Wentz struggled at the start of the season, drawing questions and concerns about the pairing in Washington. He is on his third team in three years after being outcast by the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts for back-to-back seasons.
Washington also got wiggle room from its trade with the Colts.
Along with second-round swaps and the exchange of third and seventh-round picks, the Commanders sent the Colts a conditional 2023 third-round draft pick. That pick upgrades to the second round if Wentz played 70% of Washington’s offensive snaps this season.
Taylor Heinicke provided a jumpstart while Carson Wentz got placed on injured reserve. Just as the magic dwindles, Wentz has recovered from his finger surgery. Wentz’s first game available back was Saturday’s loss to the 49ers.
Washington will hinge its playoff hopes on the arm of Wentz. Meanwhile, Wentz comes back playing 41.8% of the Commanders’ offensive snaps. Theoretically, Wentz still could guide Washington into the playoffs, and the Commanders keep their second-round pick next year.
The Colts were not as lucky last season. Indianapolis had a similar clause from the Eagles for a conditional second-round draft pick in acquiring Wentz in 2021. Wentz played 98% of the Colts’ offensive snaps, and the team missed the playoffs after losing their final two games. That second-round pick became a first-round draft pick.
That pick ironically landed in Washington, who used the selection on wide receiver Jahan Dotson.
Carson Wentz has a chance to salvage his career narrative as well
There is uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position in Washington. Going back to Wentz gives them a shot at the playoffs, and Wentz gets one last audition for the 2023 season.
Wentz has the arm talent and vision that Heinicke doesn’t. There is no question who is more talented. Wentz was a No. 2 overall pick; Heinicke went undrafted and was a backup in the XFL.
But Heinicke had more of a command of the team. It’s a narrative that’s haunted Wentz in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. Sunday against the Browns, and presumably Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, Wentz gets the opportunity to change the narrative.
Wentz gets a chance to play the hero. Can he guide Washington back to the playoffs?
The Commanders have talent surrounding the quarterback. They need consistent play from the quarterback — something they have not gotten all season consistently. The ball is in Wentz’s hand. He’ll get a shot at rewriting his career path and saving the Commanders’ season.
Regardless, the Commanders would love to retain next year’s second-round pick whether they make or miss the playoffs. The Wentz trade hasn’t worked out, but it’s salvageable. It may be unorthodox, but Washington gets a small win while keeping its playoff hopes alive.
