USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Mar 19, 2022

When the Washington Commanders sent multiple draft picks to the Indianapolis Colts for Carson Wentz, it appeared Washington’s never-ending search for a quarterback was over — for 2022, anyway. - Wentz cost Washington a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft and a third-rounder next year that could turn into a second-round pick if he plays 70% of the snaps in 2022. There was also a pick swap in the second round, and the Commanders received a seventh-rounder back, too. - The biggest takeaway was Washington took on the remainder of Wentz’s contract, which will count $28 million against the Commanders’ salary cap in 2022. Wentz was certainly Washington’s guy, and the team could officially move on from taking a quarterback high in the draft. - Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated doesn’t quite feel that possibility is over. This week, Breer said he “doesn’t think the Commanders are done at quarterback” in his Monday Morning Quarterback column this week. - Here’s what Breer had to say about Washington and the quarterback position: - And I say that even though I believe there’s some decent reasoning there—the Commanders know they’ll have to try to get Wentz to know when to say when on plays, and take the easy stuff more, but also believe having downfield weapons like McLaurin should unlock parts of Wentz’s game. But I also say it knowing they’re still in play to draft one high. If that’s the endgame here, then this looks a lot different. If it’s just Wentz? Well, then you’re betting that you can do things that the Eagles and Colts, with staffs that knew Wentz exceedingly well and were invested in him, simply couldn’t. - While Breer provides good reasoning for his thoughts, picking a quarterback in the first round now doesn’t seem feasible. The Commanders still have many holes to fill and have chosen to sit out free agency. The only move from the outside was Washington signing a guard to replace the guard it cut. While Andrew Norwell is a good player, that move isn’t winning Washington more games in 2022. - The Commanders are also short of a third-round pick. Those first two picks need to be on players who can help Washington in 2022. Perhaps a wide receiver, offensive lineman, inside linebacker, safety, or cornerback. - Washington made the investment in Wentz, at least for 2022, so it should make sure he has plenty of help this fall. - In his interview with Ben Standig of The Athletic, Rivera didn’t sound like a coach planning on drafting a quarterback high: - “I like (Wentz) a lot. I believe he’s our guy, and we’re building around him,” Rivera said. “For all intents and purposes, we plan to have this guy here for the next several years.” - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t