In what will be one of the least surprising moves of the offseason, the Washington Commanders released quarterback Carson Wentz Monday, per an official announcement from the team.
We have released the following players:
— S Bobby McCain
— QB Carson Wentz— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 27, 2023
The move frees up over $26 million in cap space for the Commanders in 2023. Washington released defensive back Bobby McCain earlier on Monday.
The Commanders traded a pair of third-round picks and switched places in the second round of last year’s draft for one year of Wentz. In eight games, Wentz completed 172 of 276 passes for 1,755 yards, with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was 2-5 as Washington’s starting quarterback.
The final draft pick will be sent to Indianapolis in this April’s draft, officially closing the door on the Wentz trade.
Wentz started the first six games of the 2022 season and didn’t play well. While he had some good moments in the first two games, Wentz was terrible against NFC East opponents Philadelphia and Dallas in Weeks 3 & 4. He fractured a finger on his throwing hand in Week 6, paving the way for Taylor Heinicke to return to the lineup.
Heinicke helped lead the Commanders back into playoff contention before faltering late. Washington tried to turn back to Wentz, but he had a rough performance in a Week 17 loss to the Browns that saw him booed heavily.
He’d never play for Washington again.
The Commanders will be looking for a veteran quarterback to compete with Sam Howell. Those candidates could be Heinicke, Jacoby Brissett and Andy Dalton.
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