The Washington Commanders began their second week of training camp Monday, which marked the final practice before pads come on. While several players stood out among the rest over the first four-plus practices, padded practice marks the start of when we’ll be able to fully gauge how players are performing.
In not-so surprising fashion, the defense has vastly outperformed the offense thus far. Of course, that was expected given Jack Del Rio’s unit is returning most of its starters whereas Scott Turner’s group has a new quarterback, a couple new pass-catchers and multiple fresh faces on the offensive line.
Because of that, growing pains were expected in the early stages of camp. Up until this point, Carson Wentz had avoided a disaster outing. While he’s had his ups and downs, Monday marked Wentz’s first rough go of it with the Commanders.
On one particular sequence during team drills, Wentz tossed consecutive interceptions to Kendall Fuller and Kam Curl. The second pick was intended for Cole Turner, but Wentz sailed it over the 6-foot-5 rookie tight end.
As you would expect, some fans are having a tough time reckoning with Wentz’s turnover-laden practice.
Caron Wentz threw back-back picks, first to Kendall Fuller and then to Kam Curl. On the second one, Wentz overthrew 6-5 TE Cole Turner before Curl caught it.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 1, 2022
Next play, Percy Butler intercepted Taylor Heinicke. pic.twitter.com/0bl73DVNqi
Commanders fans lost it after Carson Wentz threw multiple interceptions at training camp Monday.
Wentz’s rough morning unfortunately continued when he was intercepted by safety Bobby McCain on a comeback route from Terry McLaurin. According to Ethan Cadeaux of NBC Sports Washington, McCain picked it rather easily.
Carson Wentz intercepted for the third time today. Was looking for Terry McLaurin on a deep comeback. Bobby McCain jumped the route and picked it easily
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) August 1, 2022
Later in the practice, Wentz got tunnel vision for Turner in the red zone and missed McLaurin, who had Jamin Davis against him in coverage.
In the red zone, Terry McLaurin had Jamin Davis on him and Carson Wentz immediately went to Cole Turner for the incompletion. As soon as the ball came out, McLaurin yelled “I had a linebacker bro!” and Jamin laughed.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 1, 2022
Davis might be laughing, but certain Commanders fans took Wentz’s first poor practice and blew it out of proportion, as this one fan predicted.
incoming overreactions
— J.C.W. (@JDubHTTR) August 1, 2022
Indeed. We’ll start with the hottest take of the bunch.
And everyone is excited about getting him?? Please dudes a bum that we are paying 28 million for don’t forget that
— Tyler Ferdinand (@TylerFerdinan11) August 1, 2022
A quarterback joining a new offense throws a couple training camp (!) interceptions and suddenly he’s a bum? Got it. Way to not be reactionary.
Same dudes would be trashing the defense if Wentz and the offense dominated the defense lol
— Saltine Dream (@NickySix86) August 1, 2022
Exactly! Keep that same energy when Wentz and Co. are humming on offense.
horrible take lmao
— J.C.W. (@JDubHTTR) August 1, 2022
Hasn’t been good in three years? We’ll give this hater 2020, when Wentz was famously benched for Jalen Hurts in Week 12 and still tied for the league lead with 15 interceptions. But he was more than serviceable in 2019 and ’21. In those seasons, Wentz completed 63.2% of his passes for 7,602 yards and 54 touchdowns to 14 interceptions … while leading his teams to a combined 18-15 record.
Get your facts straight before you trash a player, folks.
Sam Howell time?
— Mason (@thesportslion) August 1, 2022
Was only a matter of time until fans called in the calvary. Unfortunately for them, Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell both threw picks of their own Monday.
We’re obviously not thrilled Wentz got taken to school by the secondary. A rough day of practice was inevitable for a QB inheriting his third offense in as many seasons. That obviously doesn’t excuse Wentz from missing the mark on seemingly standard passes, but maybe let’s wait until the third week of camp — or the regular season — to pick apart his performance with a fine tooth comb. Just an idea!