The Washington Commanders are turning to Carson Wentz to try and solve their quarterback problem once again. Wentz started the year as the first-string quarterback. However, an injury took him out of that role after Week 6.
By the time Wentz was able to return, he had lost the job to Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke wasn’t playing particularly great, but the team was winning. And with the team losing and Wentz not playing great either, it made sense to go with the QB who was picking up wins.
However, the Commanders have run into some losing troubles lately. They are still in the playoff race, but that could change if the losing ways don’t stop. And Heinicke wasn’t doing the team any favors with some less-than-desirable play at quarterback. This led to him being benched late in Washington’s Week 16 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
With just two games left in the season, the Commanders’ 7-7-1 record puts them just barely ahead of the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers (all 7-8). The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints are also in the mix (each 6-9).
That means that Washington can’t afford any more slip-ups. And Heinicke was just not playing to the level they needed.
This begs the question though, is Wentz going to be all that much better? He certainly has a stronger arm, but his first stint as the starter showed that he wouldn’t use it all that often. And Wentz had a proclivity for holding on to the ball for far too long, leading to sacks.
Heinicke’s strength was his ability to get the ball out a little quicker and use his legs to sneak out of situations. The team seems to get behind him as well. His arm strength and erratic accuracy were major issues though.
Both quarterbacks have some positives, but the negatives seem to outweigh them. So can Wentz improve on his issues to help the team win?
The Commanders have a great defense led by an insane defense line that just got Chase Young back (as if they needed any more help). Their special teams unit is led by a pro bowl punter and a pro bowl specialist in Tress Way and Jeremy Reaves. Meanwhile, the offense features an intriguing running back duo and decent tight end play. It’s anchored by one of the better receiver trios in football with comeback player Curtis Samuel, standout rookie Jahan Dotson, and superstar Terry McLaurin as well.
With all that talent, Washington doesn’t need top-tier quarterback play to win games (although fans have been begging for one for decades). They just need someone to be competent, limit turnovers, and move the ball. Carson Wentz struggled with that early in the season, can he turn that around?
And where does Sam Howell fit into all of this? Look, it makes sense that a coach wouldn’t want to turn to a fifth-round rookie QB who has zero NFL experience with two games left in the season in the middle of a playoff race. But at what point have we seen enough of Wentz and Heinicke to know that the team isn’t going to win much with either of them?
For now, though, Carson Wentz is back in the starting role for the Washington Commanders. He looked good in his limited time in Week 16, so maybe he can carry that momentum over to Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns.
Hopefully, Washington can find a way into the playoffs. But all these shakeups at the quarterback position tell us two things. One, it’s going to be an uphill battle with such inconsistent play at the most important position in football. And two, it looks like we’re in for another offseason of wondering what direction the Commanders will be going at QB. Fun times.