Wentz to Washington: Why Commanders Traded For Controversial QB

Commanders quarterback saga ends with interesting choice of Carson Wentz

Jeremy Brener | Mar 9, 2022

After an extensive search for a quarterback that featured everyone from Aaron Rodgers to Russell Wilson, the Washington Commanders have their quarterback. Drum roll please ...

USATSI_17479619 — Robert Scheer/Indy Star

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz

USATSI_17487634 (1) — Mykal McEldowney/The Indianapolis Star

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz!

The move has its benefits and drawbacks, and will be scrutinized by Commanders fans. On the plus side, Wentz is an upgrade to Taylor Heinicke.

Wentz completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions in his only season with the Indianapolis Colts. He's a game manager that doesn't turn the ball over often. Wentz fits in with a team that has a strong defense.

Game managers can win in the NFL. Wentz has done so in the right situation. He was the starter for the NFC East rival Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, but tore his ACL late in the 2017 season.

There is also a reason why things didn't work out with Wentz in Indy. In the Colts' final game of the season, they needed a win over the league-worst Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch a playoff spot. Wentz threw for a meager 185 yards in a 26-11 loss that send the Colts into the offseason.

In five of the Colts' eight losses last season, the difference was a touchdown or less. Wentz was unable to shine when it mattered most.

Taylor Heinicke

Ron Rivera

Martin Mayhew

However, probably the most important reason behind the trade is flexibility. While Wentz improves the quarterback position slightly, there is potential for him to flame out and be one-and-done for the second year in a row.

The Commanders took on his entire contract for three years, but there is zero dead money after 2022 if they choose to move on. This means the Commanders are taking this year-by-year and can pivot next year if Wentz fizzles.

The trade gives the Commanders a low-risk, high-reward option that vaults them into playoff positioning if everything clicks. But that's one big if.

Published Mar 9, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.