Tag: Carson Wentz a 7-year veteran

Carson Wentz grateful for this past year with the Commanders

Carson Wentz posts what appeared like a farewell message to his teammates.

Carson Wentz continues to impress with his leadership and kindness.

Wentz, via Instagram Tuesday, basically conveyed to Commanders fans and the organization that things did not develop this past season as we all had wished.

Wentz then expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and to fellow Commanders for the bond that he experienced and hopes to experience with them.

It really is a shame Carson could not perform up to expectations this 2022 season. The former Eagle and Colt quarterback was traded from the Colts to the Commanders in the offseason, and the price tag was not cheap.

In fairness to Wentz, is he to blame for the negotiating skills of the Commanders’ brass who worked the trade? It was no secret the Colts had already moved on from Wentz, and yet Washington did not negotiate well at all in the trade. The Colts talked the Commanders into a third-round choice in 2022, a conditional third in 2023 (which could have become a second-rounder) and swapping back five spots in round two with the Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Wentz excited Commanders Nation in the first week when trailing the Jaguars 22-14, Wentz threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter leading Washington to a come-from-behind 28-22 victory. Wentz had thrown for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Washington “finally had a quarterback,” owner Daniel Snyder said.

The seven-year veteran started seven games; however, the Commanders could only manage two wins in those seven starts, resulting in head coach Ron Rivera staying with Taylor Heinicke for nine starts until Heinicke’s struggles caught up with him and Rivera returned to Wentz and then Sam Howell for the final game.

Wentz earned $28 million this past season, but Washington has the ability to release him without any salary cap hit next season, so it is only a matter of time before he is released.

Several players, including Taylor Heinicke and Jonathan Allen, have spoken out about the quality person and teammate Wentz was this year. Sam Howell even went out of his way to challenge public opinion concerning Wentz.

Following Washington’s 26-6 victory over Dallas Sunday, in Howell’s first NFL start, Howell proclaimed, “I know people say negative things about Carson, but he is an unbelievable human being. For him to give me his suite my first start, means a lot.”

Commanders Wire wishes Carson, his wife Madison, and their two precious daughters the very best in their future endeavors.

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Carson Wentz is building chemistry with teammates

Carson Wentz talked about Week 1, Terry McLaurin and more on Wednesday.

Carson Wentz will start his first game for the Washington Commanders Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In talking with the press Wednesday, Wentz acknowledged, “It’s a new place, new team, new everything to some extent, a new routine, but at the same time, it’s still Week 1, a lot of excitement, jitters, all that fun stuff this week.  So, it’s fun to get back into the routine of game week.”

The 6-foot-5 redhead has been reminded at every turn this offseason that it is his third team in three years. Yet, Wentz feels the Commanders have made progress in the last months.

“I think just coming in right away, trying to learn everything and then learn each other and (in) camp building that chemistry. I think it’s come a long way throughout camp, which I think is important to be able to get those reps, get on the field, get the practice in, and mostly be healthy for the most part I think was important. By no means do I think we’ve arrived or anything.”

Entering his 7th season, Wentz has developed a routine of evaluating his performance each game. “In the NFL things happen fast, turnaround fast. So, the process is very expedited. I always watch the film the night of the game, whether we’re traveling back or sitting in my bed with my wife or whatever. I always got to finish watching the game before I go to bed. Then we come in and go through it again with the coaches. And then it’s pretty much turn the page. You feel that sense of urgency right away on Monday when you watch the tape. And then you’re already talking about the next opponent, so it’s quick.”

Wentz knows the public focuses much on the stats but says the film doesn’t lie, and thus his focus is there. “Stats are going to lie to you. Sometimes they’re going to tell the truth, and you can’t get caught up in the results on that end. (You watch), what could I have done better? Where could I be more accurate or better decision-making (all those things)? And it’s truly strictly on the film.”

OTAs and camp have their own speed. So do preseason games. But things get ramped up in the NFL when the games count. So Wentz is looking for growth to occur through the process of actual NFL game-day speed.

“I think you do everything you can to be prepared and I feel that we are very prepared. So I don’t want to say by any means that we’re not prepared for that, but I do think that growth, that natural growth of coming together within a game with understanding how we’re going to call a game and how coaches want to attack a defense, all of those things kind of finally come to fruition on a Sunday. I think once we’re out there on Sunday afternoon, that’s when we’ll start to see what we’re made of, see where we’re at, and then keep building from there.”

He knows the NFL. He knows Terry McLaurin is a proven top receiver; consequently, he looks forward to throwing to No. 17. “I feel good with what he brings to the table. He makes my life easy. I can already tell that. So, I look forward to seeing that live on a Sunday and just seeing what he can do down the field with the ball in his hands, underneath, all of those things. I definitely feel good with the chemistry there.”

To be Continued Friday

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