Commanders’ Carson Wentz gets deserved chance at redemption
What happens in 2023 if Wentz succeeds? Or fails?
If the Commanders make the playoffs, while Wentz plays reasonably well, there is certainly a path for him to be back as the starter in 2023. Put simply, the two third-round picks invested in the quarterback would be enough of an incentive to give it one more go.
Add on that the team could give themselves reasonable (maybe not accurate) reasons to explain his early season struggles, and we may have ourselves a continuation of the Wentz-Commanders marriage in 2023.
Washington could very well then spend the offseason investing in the offensive line, which would make them akin to diet-San Francisco 49ers. A team built behind their potent defense, that has elite weapons on offense, with an inconsistent quarterback capable of distributing it to them.
Add that it would be Wentz’s second year in Washington’s system, giving him more time to acclimate himself to a new system, and a new city, something he didn’t have the luxury of in Indy.
And most importantly to Washington, if Wentz succeeds behind this new run-first offense, it would give Washington a consistent identity on that side of the football. Stability at the most important position in football, combined with continuity in the vision.
There also is the argument of the (lack of) sample size. Only starting eight regular season games, behind a poor offensive line, in a scheme he was unfamiliar with, in an offense that lacked an identity, and was flat-out one-dimensional. In those eight games, the highs would be high, and the lows were low. But those in charge could give it one more go because of the tantalization of the unknown.
Have had a few folks ask about Carson Wentz and the 70% snaps threshold. That drama ended long ago, but here's visual proof of where we are with two games remaining via Football Reference. pic.twitter.com/DiPZAzk098
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 29, 2022
See, even you, the biggest Carson Wentz hater, could possibly coerce into buying into that. There have been better ideas. There have been worse ideas most certainly though.
What if Wentz fails, once again, however? Well, the solution is pretty cut and dry. Carson Wentz would be cut, opening up $28M in cap space for the Commanders, Wentz’s days as QB1 in the NFL could be over, and Washington would be back in the QB market once again.
They certainly could be in the market regardless if they make the playoffs or not. It could muddy the picture though.
Two weeks ago, Carson Wentz was a shoo-in to be released in February. Now, he has a chance to be the spark to Washington’s playoff hopes, while also granting himself an additional year in the DMV as QB1 of the Washington Commanders.
