Carson Wentz is the signal caller on his third team in three years and it puts him back where it all started which is the NFC East.
Washington has gone through huge changes also over the past three seasons rebranding the organization from the Washington Redskins to Football Team and now doing business as the Washington Commanders.
Wentz must prepare for a critical career-defining season that will determine whether he stays as a starting caliber QB or become a valued backup.
Washington hasn’t had a clear-cut QB1 going into training camp since bringing in Alex Smith via a trade in 2018. Since then it has been battles between multiple quarterbacks until the final weeks of pre-season.
Wentz comes into an offense loaded with potential and viewed as the most skilled offensive group he has had since entering the league in 2016. In 2016, in an Eagles offense where he threw for over 4,000 yards, no Philadelphia wideout produced over 500 yards receiving for the season.
Last year in his only season in Indianapolis, the Colts’ offense had a legit
receiving threat in Michael Pittman Jr., who totaled over 1,000 yards. Running back Johnathan Taylor took the league by storm as well on his way to a rushing yards title with over 1,800.
Now in Washington, newly extended WR Terry Mclaurin should become the best receiving target Wentz has ever worked with and several other receiver options include 2021 top signed free agent Curtis Samuel. First-round rookie Jahan Dotson should be another intricate option at Wentz’s disposal.
All three pass catchers have speed along with a group of running backs that are converted receivers.
There’s no secret that Wentz loves to target tight-ends and Washington has plenty of potential there in Logan Thomas who was a stud in his first full season. the former Virginia Tech quarterback now is working his way back from an injury he sustained last season. Second-year TE John Bates looks to continue and impress while rookie Cole Turner could be a big help at 6’6″ given the fact Wentz is known to love big targets. The larger targets should work in Wentz’s favor, especially in the red zone.
Many seem to think Wentz deals with injuries when in fact, he hasn’t missed many games over the past three years. there is also a narrative of the signal caller being a turnover machine which is exaggerated. Wentz has only thrown over seven picks just twice in six years with one year being his rookie campaign.
Questions will be evident about the Washington offensive which will have two different guards to start the season, but overall, Wentz should feel safe in the pocket.
With the talent around him, albeit, younger talent, Wentz should perform better than expected and save his career. if this happens, the Commanders could become a serious opponent for the teams they
face in 2022.