USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Mar 22, 2022

If you look at the NFC South’s quarterback depth chart at the moment, you see exactly why the Washington Commanders were aggressive in trading for Carson Wentz before the new league year began. - After the Falcons traded former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts, Josh Rosen was atop Atlanta’s quarterback depth chart. The Falcons quickly signed another former first-round pick as their starting quarterback in Marcus Mariota. - Meanwhile, in Carolina, the Panthers were all-in on Deshaun Watson. That pursuit failed miserably, and, as of now, Carolina has Sam Darnold as the top passer. Everyone saw Darnold last season, right? - The Saints were also spurned in their pursuit of Watson. Fortunately for New Orleans, Jameis Winston was still available and was willing to return. - Now you see why Ron Rivera was aggressive in trading for Wentz. - Is Wentz the answer for the Commanders? Who knows, but he is for 2022, and that’s all that matters as of now. Outside of the draft choices spent in acquiring Wentz, Washington can easily get out from under his contract after the 2022 season if things go poorly. - What if Wentz helps lead the Commanders to 10 wins in 2022? That’s likely enough to earn an NFC wild-card spot, which would make his first season in Washington a success. - Some will frown about a third-round pick this season and a third-rounder next year, that will go to a second-rounder if Wentz plays 70% of the snaps, but the price for merely competent quarterback play is on a different level from other positions. - Aaron Rodgers wasn’t leaving Green Bay. Russell Wilson wasn’t coming to Washington. Could Washington really afford the P.R. nightmare of trading for Deshaun Watson even if it were absurd enough to offer him the same contract Cleveland did? - The Commanders had to pivot and considered the Wentz the best option among passers like Jimmy Garoppolo and Mitchell Trubisky. So, Washington upped its offer from a fourth- and sixth-rounder to encourage the Colts to send Wentz to the Commanders. - After initially seeing the Colts only gave the Falcons a third-rounder for Ryan, the immediate feeling was did Washington overpay? It didn’t take long to consider everything and realize that the Commanders made the right move so they wouldn’t be where the Panthers are right now. - There’s a reason Washington never considered Ryan a real option. Wentz is younger, although he’s been less durable than Ryan at times, he has a bigger arm and can aggressively attack all levels of the field, something offensive coordinator Scott Turner hasn’t been able to do in the previous two years. - Sure, there are concerns with Wentz, but outside of landing Rodgers or Wilson, there were going to be concerns with each of the available passers. Washington is clearly thrilled with Wentz and went into free agency with an answer at quarterback, allowing the team to focus on improving other positions on the team. -   - - - - - - - - - - - - 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.

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