3 biggest positives from Commanders’ trade for Carson Wentz

2. Wentz’s contract is more than manageable

We truly cannot get over the fact that folks looked at Wentz’s cap number for 2022 and decided he’s on a bad contract. Is $28.92 million a steep price to pay? No doubt, but you have to consider the duration of the contract.

Wentz is signed through 2024 for a grand total of $81.7 million. That’s a vomit-inducing sum, but none of it beyond next season is guaranteed. In other words, if things go poorly and Washington chooses to move on from Wentz this time next year, they can dump his contract and save $26.17 million with zero dead money.

That’s a huge part of the appeal behind Wentz. All of the guaranteed money on his current contract ($35.4 million) was paid in full the last two seasons. The important thing is the Commanders aren’t locked into Wentz. At that point, fans would be fully justified roasting Ron Rivera until the cows come home.

But having an easy out after just one year? Say, Washington drafts a quarterback with their first-round pick. Acquiring Wentz would allow the team to compete and potentially make the playoffs before handing over the reigns to the draftee. That’s exactly how you want to transition to a new era at QB.

Whatever ends up happening, don’t kill the Commanders for Wentz’s 2022 cap hit. Will it limit the offseason spending budget? Potentially, but there are ample cap loopholes that will allow them to recoup what was lost.

The full details of Wentz’s contract are a huge positive. That’s the bottom line.