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Are the Washington Commanders set at quarterback for 2022?

By Russell S. Baxter

ASHBURN, VA - MARCH 17: Quarterback Carson Wentz of the Washington Commanders is introduced at Inova Sports Performance Center on March 17, 2022 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA - MARCH 17: Quarterback Carson Wentz of the Washington Commanders is introduced at Inova Sports Performance Center on March 17, 2022 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The team currently known as the Washington Commanders has won seven games each of the last two seasons. Will Ron Rivera’s club settle on one quarterback in 2022?

Courtesy of Ourlads’ Scouting Services, the current quarterback depth chart (in order) for Ron Rivera’s team reads as follows: Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, and rookies Sam Howell and Cole Kelley.

The first was obtained via trade this offseason from the Indianapolis Colts. Heinicke made 15 starts for the team in 2021. Howell is a fifth-round pick from the University of North Carolina (see Nicki Jhabvala via the Washington Post). And the last player is an undrafted free agent from Southeast Louisiana.

The question is: How many of these quarterbacks will see the field for the newly-named Washington Commanders in 2022?

Dating back to 2018 (including playoffs), the franchise has had 10 different starters behind center. In order of their first appearance, it’s inspirational Alex Smith, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, Josh Johnson, Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick (who played 1 game in 2021), and Garrett Gilbert.

Before that, Kirk Cousins never missed a start from 2015-17. He has obviously gone on to have some success with the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, Washington has started at least three different signal-callers each of the past four years.

So is this the year the club finally finds a reliable starting quarterback? Wentz has had his problems staying healthy but did start all 17 games for the Colts this past season.

Heinicke made 15 starts in 2021 but finished with nearly as many turnovers (17) as touchdown passes. And the team will find out in the next few months what they have in Howell and Kelley.

Yes, the franchise won the NFC East in 2020 with a 7-9 mark. But this is a club that has posted five straight losing campaigns dating back to 2017. And a lack of stability at quarterback has played a big part in those disappointing showings. Will things be any different this year?

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