Carson Wentz will become the Washington Commanders‘ new starting quarterback in 2022.
For a while, it looked like Taylor Heinicke would hold the position.
Likewise, Ryan Fitzpatrick is closer to the end of his career.
It’s a mind-boggling development for an NFC East team that saw Wentz’s struggles during his last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, they decided to take the gamble that he will be the solution to their long-standing problem at the position.
But as of the moment, the trade doesn’t improve Washington’s chances at all.
If not, they might go from bad to worse because Wentz doesn’t perform well during significant games.
The Indianapolis Colts had two chances to make the playoffs last season, but limitations at quarterback hindered them from qualifying.
Likewise, Caesars Sportsbook did not change the Commanders’ odds of winning Super Bowl LVII (+6000) after the Wentz trade became public.
Yet in hindsight, Wentz might not have been Washington’s primary option, as ESPN’s Senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler revealed.
Washington's exhaustive QB search spanned five trade options (Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo) along with Mitch Trubisky as a prime free agency target before zeroing in on the Wentz deal, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 10, 2022
Fowler tweeted, “Washington’s exhaustive QB search spanned five trade options (Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo) along with Mitch Trubisky as a prime free agency target before zeroing in on the Wentz deal, per source.”
Based on that list, they only had a realistic shot at Wentz because there’s no way Wilson or Watson would waive their no-trade clause for a team that is not even the best in their division.
Washington Could Have Waited A Bit Longer
With the start of 2022 free agency less than a week away, the Commanders could have made an offer to Trubisky.
However, they decided to go with Wentz in exchange for their 2022 second-round and third-round picks, plus a conditional 2023 third-rounder that will become a second-round selection if the quarterback plays 70 percent of the snaps.
Indianapolis has drafted well over the years, making this deal in favor of the Colts.
NEXT: Carson Wentz Has A Legendary Trade Haul Attached To His Name
