The Washington Commanders made splashy quarterback headlines on Wednesday.
After Russell Wilson moved from Seattle to Denver on Tuesday, Washington got in on the action by acquiring Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts.
Colts agree to trade QB Carson Wentz to Commanders. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/G5RZDbC5mK
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2022
The Colts traded with the Philadelphia Eagles just last year for Wentz so that he could be reunited with his former offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
Everyone is looking for the Wentz who with the Eagles was on an MVP run in 2017 before getting injured and turning things over to Nick Foles.
Wentz had highs and lows with the 9-8 Colts this season, but the final straw was losing to the 3-14 Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 in a game the Colts needed to win to get into the playoffs.
Is Washington making a mistake bringing in Wentz?
The answer is no, and here are the reasons why.
1. Wentz Makes The Commanders Roster Better
The Commanders instantly become a better team with Wentz as QB1.
In 2021, he threw for over 3,500 yards including 27 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
Wentz was not quite in 2017 form with the Colts, but he showed flashes of it.
Though Taylor Heinicke is a fan-favorite in Washington, he cannot deliver the same results.
He threw for over 3,400 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Carson Wentz is a significant upgrade over Taylor Heinicke. That’s all i’m gonna say for now
— Jordan Asri (@wshingtontoday) March 9, 2022
Ron Rivera needed a QB. He missed on Stafford. He wasn't getting Stafford. He missed on Wilson. He wasn't getting Wilson. Ron upgraded the QB position. Carson Wentz is better than Taylor Heinicke. Wentz has all kinds of red flags, but so does the rest of the lot.
— Disco (@discoque5) March 9, 2022
2. Wentz Is The Best Option Out There For The Commanders
While Jimmy Garoppolo and Mitchell Trubisky are still quarterbacks that are floating out there who could potentially join new teams, it did not seem as though either was destined to join the NFC East.
Wentz, on the other hand, is only one year removed from the NFC East so he knows the opponents and division very well.
Carson Wentz had an NFL-low 13 Total QBR over the final 2 weeks of the season (Weeks 17-18) with opportunities to clinch a playoff berth in both games for the Colts.
Since his debut in 2016 Carson Wentz is 16-9 (.640) against NFC East teams and 28-31-1 (.475) against all others. https://t.co/HTUHFThKNC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 9, 2022
He will have an opportunity to play both of his former teams on three separate occasions in 2022.
The Commanders have two Eagles games, and they are scheduled to play the Colts at Indianapolis in 2022 also.
Not that he needs any extra motivation to perform well, but he will likely mark those games on his calendar when the schedule comes out in May.
Conclusion
Wentz literally got off on the wrong foot with the Colts with the preseason foot injury.
There were also issues with his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine that may or may not have created issues in the locker room.
In football, winning is the cure-all for everything.
If the Colts won that Week 18 game in Jacksonville, Wentz would still be with the team.
That 26-11 loss was devastating to the organization, and it is obvious they wanted to go in a different direction in 2022.
The Colts also are not on the hook to pay any of Wentz’s salary so it is a win-win situation for them.
Washington is paying the full $28 million due to Carson Wentz this year, which includes a $5 million roster bonus due next week.
From now on, it's Commander Carson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
2022 is likely Wentz’s last chance to prove he is a franchise quarterback.
Injuries and mediocre performances have plagued him since the 2017 run.
If he cannot successfully lead the Commanders in 2022, he will either be relegated to a backup status or out of the NFL altogether.
Wentz’s return to NFC East competition and particularly his return to Lincoln Financial Field to face Jalen Hurts and the Eagles will be fun to watch.
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