An opportunity has come knocking once again for Washington Commanders’ quarterback Carson Wentz. Early Wednesday morning, Wentz was announced as the starter against the Cleveland Browns.
Taylor Heinicke was a needed shot in the arm to the offense earlier in the year. Unfortunately, though, Heinicke’s magic couldn’t lift up his lack of physical traits any longer. Despite having a strong rushing attack, and a potent defense—two things Wentz never had— the offense was absolutely inept over the last month with Heinicke.
Turnovers lack explosive plays, and an offense that had become completely one-dimensional left Rivera no choice but to go back to Carson Wentz.
What looked like a guarantee for Wentz to be on his fourth team in four years, he has a chance at redemption in these final two games. These two games may be the biggest games of the former number two overall pick’s career.
Commanders: Carson Wentz redemption or same ol’ Wentz?
A year ago, the Colts had a simple path to the playoffs. At 9-6, win one of the two final games and make the playoffs. One of those games included the Jaguars, who ranked 31st in Defensive EPA in 2021. The Colts would ultimately lose both, Wentz played poorly, and he was swiftly used as the scapegoat. Whether it was fair or not, Wentz was shipped to his second different team in two offseasons.
Fast forward a year later, and Wentz has a similar opportunity. The Commanders, at 7-7-1, control their own destiny. Defeat the eliminated-from-playoff-contention Cleveland Browns, and the Dallas Cowboys, who will likely have the fifth seed wrapped up at home, and they clinch. There is a scenario where the Commanders can clinch this week, with a win, a Lions loss, a Seahawks loss, and a Packers loss.
That is a lot of ifs when the Commanders have the ball in their court. Wentz can flip the narrative from last year, taking over as the starting quarterback late in the season, winning the final two games, and clinching a playoff spot.
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
Wentz theoretically should be set up for success. Brian Robinson had played only two games since returning from his injuries, and he was still working back to 100%. From weeks 1-6, Washington’s rushing EPA ranked 31st in the NFL. Since the, it ranks 15th in rushing EPA.
Not to mention that Washington’s defense was just beginning to round into form when Wentz was hurt after they benched a certain cornerback. Wentz got most of the blame for the early season struggles, some of it deserved, but the entire situation around him was a dumpster fire.
The situation around the quarterback stabilizing was the reason for this midseason surge that put them at the doorstep of the playoffs. The offensive line isn’t much better than it was when Wentz was starting earlier in the year, yet Wentz is better to set up for success.
His chance for redemption is right there. The rumors are saying this is the biggest set of games in Carson Wentz’s career.
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.
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