Latest quarterback buzz suggests Commanders willing to take huge risk

With the start of the new league year just weeks away, fans have started the countdown as to when the Washington Commanders will appoint their new starting quarterback for 2022.

All we know so far is that Taylor Heinicke will be in the fold. Whether that’s as a backup or a potential third-stringer behind a draftee remains to be seen, but the Old Dominion product has earned a spot on the roster.

Beyond that, though, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. Or is it?

It’s become clear that Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson are the dream acquisitions, or Plan A, for Washington. While Rodgers is all but out of the running, Watson and Wilson are still in the mix, even if they feel like a pipe dream.

For a while, Jimmy Garoppolo and Carson Wentz have been viewed as potential fallback options if the Commanders whiff on that star trio. Per the latest buzz, though, it seems like signing a free agent is the team’s actual Plan B.

Per Hogs Haven, the team’s blog over at SB Nation, Mitchell Trubisky is “gaining traction” as Washington’s contingency plan. While he’d likely be paired with a rookie, the team reportedly views him as a long-term solution.

Will the Commanders sign Mitch Trubisky this offseason?

As much as this rumor doesn’t move the needle for Commanders fans, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Before the November trade deadline, Washington and Buffalo were reportedly close to completing a deal for Trubisky.

At the time, Ryan Fitzpatrick, though he wasn’t ruled out for the rest of the season, was still on the mend from his hip subluxation suffered in Week 1. In the end, Washington stuck with Heinicke, but this near-trade should’ve gave fans the hint that the team would revisit its interest in Trubisky this offseason.

It also seems notable that Trubisky wouldn’t be walking into a fully new environment. The former second overall pick is close with Charles Leno from their time in Chicago and new tight ends coach Juan Castillo, who was appointed as Pete Hoener’s replacement, was with Trubisky in the Windy City in 2020.

In addition, Ron Rivera is close with Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. As trusted confidants, if Rivera is sold on their scouting report of Trubisky’s development, that could be all she wrote.

With that said, there would be great risk involved in signing Trubisky. While the Bears’ coaching staff did him zero favors, we are still talking about a guy who was benched for Nick Foles the last time he was a starter and couldn’t land a starting gig as a free agent last offseason when numerous QBs switched teams.

The talent and upside is undeniable, but it would be quite the gamble for the Commanders to assume most of Trubisky’s shortcomings were the fault of Chicago’s coaching staff and front office for doing wrong by him.

We hate to throw this comparison around, but the Panthers were convinced that the Jets and Adam Gase were holding Sam Darnold back. They unloaded three draft choices for the former No. 3 overall pick last offseason and they’re already said to be in the market for a new quarterback.

Just saying.