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Washington Commanders: Pros and (mostly) cons of Carson Wentz trade

By Hunter Noll

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 9: Quarterback Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts passes under pressure by linebacker Josh Allen #41 of Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 9, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won 26 -11. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 9: Quarterback Carson Wentz #2 of the Indianapolis Colts passes under pressure by linebacker Josh Allen #41 of Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 9, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars won 26 -11. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Carson Wentz
Washington Commanders offseason; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of the Carson Wentz trade for the Washington Commanders. It’s mostly cons, but more positives than you might think.

On Tuesday the Washington Commanders made a splash. Was it a perfect cannonball or a miserable bellyflop though? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get pretty varying opinions on the matter. Washington traded for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz.

The Commanders sent their 2022 third-round pick and 2023 third-round pick (could turn into a second if Wentz plays 70% of the snaps) to the Colts. They got Wentz in return. The two teams also swapped second-round picks for the upcoming draft (this means Washington goes from the 42nd overall pick to the 47th overall pick).

Let’s try and weigh the pros and cons of the situation.

Carson Wentz Pro: Upgrade at the position

This is a pretty straightforward pro. Wentz is an upgrade to anyone the Commanders had on their roster in 2021. Is he an elite quarterback? No, not at the moment. Anyone can become anything but let’s not pretend like Washington’s getting the guy. But they did make a pretty decent upgrade.

That right there is definitely something for Washington fans to be happy about. But it could’ve been better.

Carson Wentz Con: Not the future

This is just another average QB. Carson Wentz is absolutely an upgrade, but is he going to be an MVP? Or get you to the Super Bowl? Probably not unless he reverts back to the guy he was a couple of seasons ago.

Now, this isn’t a terrible thing. It will still be good if he helps the offense move more and is used as a one-year gap type of guy. But you just took on a lot of money and sent a couple of picks away for someone that probably isn’t going to be around for very long.

So now there’s the whole question that comes into this draft. Do you still take a quarterback if he is there at the 11th pick? Or do you wait until later in the draft to find someone? Maybe not take one at all?

And what does this do to the future of the position? You’re now holding off on finding a franchise guy for another season. If Wentz isn’t the guy (which most people would agree he probably isn’t) you’re just delaying the inevitable to maybe win two more games this year.

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