3 nightmare scenarios for Commanders during 2022 season

1. Carson Wentz Doesn’t Prove Himself

Wentz failing to prove himself as a franchise quarterback is without a doubt the Commanders’ worst-case scenario for 2022. Ron Rivera has preached that he views Wentz as the franchise’s long-term solution at quarterback and that was reflected by what he and the front office gave up for the veteran QB.

On top of inheriting Wentz’s entire $28 million salary, which severely hindered Washington’s spending budget in free agency, the team surrendered a 2022 second-round pick, a 2022 third-rounder and a conditional third-rounder in 2023 that could become a second if Wentz plays 70 percent of the snaps.

Not a king’s ransom by any stretch, but a steep price to pay for what could ultimately be a one-year rental or stopgap if Wentz falls on his face, especially when the Colts were open to cutting him if they couldn’t find a trade partner.

The good news for the Commanders is Wentz has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, meaning they could release him next offseason and save $26.176 million against the cap while incurring $0 in dead money.

Wentz underwhelming would obviously put Washington back in the quarterback market, but it’d also serve as an indictment against Ron Rivera. Will the head coach survive another year if the team produces another losing record? Is his job security, or lack thereof, tied to how Wentz performs in 2022?

We’d prefer it if these questions go unanswered.