Troubles in the central region from the nation’s capital were well documented. No starter has driven the team in the majority of their games for more than three consecutive seasons since Mark Rypien, who partnered with Washington from 1989-93. Since the start of the 2018 season, 10 different midfield midfielders have started a game for the Commanders now and none have enjoyed any lasting success.
That prompted Dan Snyder and friends to bring in Carson Wentz, after splashing money on a bigger name on the trading block failed to do so (more on where the biggest target soon landed). The former No 2 player returned to the NFC East after a turbulent stay with the Eagles and Colts, who each enjoyed being younger and older with Wentz’s successors. That’s the vote of confidence that Washington is looking for.
Some, if not most, believe Wentz is a lifesaver until another full-back can develop to help the team. Wentz is clearly delaying the inevitable if his play from Indianapolis shows up in Landover. Help is around. Wentz doesn’t have a receiver like as talented as Terry McLaurin around him ever. And the Commanders’ defense was underrated. They are a stabilizing secondary that avoids taking a significant amount of pressure off Wentz, who clearly needs assistance in stabilizing.
The biggest thing that helped Wentz’s case was the lack of other options for the Commanders. Taylor Heinicke had the team’s successful shot. Ron Rivera and Snyder felt comfortable enough with that prospect in exchange for Wentz. The team also outlined former North Carolina QB Sam Howell in this year’s draft but he’s very much a long-term project.
