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2 huge takeaways from ESPN’s bombshell report on Commanders’ Dan Snyder

By Jerry Trotta

Oct 25, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder (L) talks with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (R) on the field during warm ups prior to their game at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder (L) talks with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (R) on the field during warm ups prior to their game at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera greets quarterback Carson Wentz (11) before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera greets quarterback Carson Wentz (11) before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Snyder pushed Commanders to trade for Carson Wentz

This part brings us back to the Beth Wilkinson investigation. If you recall, Snyder was fined $10 million and was forced to cede day-to-day responsibilities to his wife, Tanya. While Snyder’s surprise appearance at Washington’s Week 4 game in Dallas marked his first public appearance in months, fans never really believed the power-obsessed owner fully relinquished day-to-day duties.

According to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, Don Van Natta Jr. and Tisha Thompson, Snyder is “far more involved running the club than most realize, imploring football decision-makers last March to trade for quarterback Carson Wentz.”

"“‘It was 100% a Dan move,’ says a source with knowledge of the inner workings of the deal. But in the team’s statement to ESPN, Rivera insisted that he brought the idea of acquiring Wentz to Dan and Tanya, who supported it. ‘They love this game and this team,’ he said.” Hearing that Snyder hopes a marquee quarterback will chase a way all his problems, an owner laughed: ‘Carson Wentz?'”"

This certainly opens a pandora’s box of questions. For one, Snyder directly violated the punishment stemming from the Wilkinson investigation. That’s a problem, but so is the punishment, which amounted to a slap on the wrist and wasn’t nearly substantial enough to actually convince Snyder to take a back seat.

On the other hand, you’re forced to question if Wentz is actually Rivera’s guy. With the head coach causing a stir this week by saying “quarterback” is the reason the Commanders aren’t as successful as the other teams in the division, this report certainly paints those comments in a different light.

Just another day in the life of being a Commanders fan. Remember, the team plays a season-defining game against the Bears in just a few hours.

Next. 5 decisions from last 25 years that set Washington back. dark

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