Did Commanders’ Ron Rivera hint he’s considering a QB change?

To say the Washington Commanders’ offense is out of sync would be a comprehensive understatement. After four games, they’re scoring on 21.6% of their drives and are averaging 4.6 yards per play. Both are last in the NFL, but Ron Rivera insists the offense is on the verge of turning a corner.

It’s no secret what’s holding the offense back right now. The new-look offensive line is struggling to contain four-man rushes. When a defense gets a little creative with its pass-rushing scheme, you can almost guarantee a sack that derails a drive, throw away, quarterback hit, or even an intentional grounding.

That brings us to the next issue: Carson Wentz.

Nobody would deny the OL has to play better, but Wentz’s play the last two weeks has been nowhere near good enough despite that. Fans would even settle for complementary football, but Wentz isn’t providing that right now.

While Rivera has been steadfast in his commitment to Wentz, the head coach made an interesting comment to NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay on Tuesday. Rivera’s wording was admittedly hard to decipher, but it sure sounds like he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making a change at quarterback.

You be the judge.

Is Commanders’ Ron Rivera considering benching Carson Wentz?

Again, “bigger changes” could mean anything. Could it mean changing defensive coordinators mid-season? Maybe making more changes along the offensive line even after Trai Turner was benched for Saahdiq Charles against the Cowboys?

It’s anyone’s guess, but we can’t help but go back to the QB position.

The offensive line has done Wentz zero favors, but that doesn’t excuse the quarterback from staring down receivers, failing to recognize open route-runners and rushing his internal clock whenever the pocket starts to break down. His pocket awareness is as bad as Eagles and Colts fans warned us about.

There are even some instances when Wentz is too flustered to throw downfield and settles for a check down. On some occasions, though, Wentz is so desperate to make a downfield throw that he bypasses a WIDE OPEN check down.

Take Sunday’s interception for example. Wentz stared down Curtis Samuel and Cowboys rookie DaRon Bland jumped the route pretty easily.

On the play, Antonio Gibson leaked out with ample real estate in front of him and Logan Thomas leak out to the left. Gibson had more space but Thomas would’ve been close to picking up a first down. Pause the video at the six-second mark.

What about the unnecessary deep shot to Jahan Dotson to end the half? Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs tracked the ball like it was intended for him.

Those are just two of a laundry list of mistakes Wentz has made in the last two weeks. He struggled with the same things against the Eagles.

The 29-year-old probably deserves another game to prove himself before getting benched, but we certainly don’t blame Rivera if he’s already considering a QB change. The Commanders are 1-3 and need to start winning games before the season gets away from them. If Wentz isn’t helping them do that, pull the plug.

Simple as that.