The Commanders have been expected to move on from Carson Wentz since his time as their starting quarterback came to an end. A team announcement on Monday confirmed that he has been released.
Wentz has bounced around the NFL since his Eagles tenure came to a close. The Commanders acquired him from the Colts last offseason in their latest attempt to secure a long-term solution under center. The structure of his contract (which was set to run through 2025, but had no guaranteed money after 2022) made this offseason an important milestone with respect to the one-year experiment with him as a starter. 
The 30-year-old held the No. 1 role to begin the season, one which carried notable expectation given the Commanders’ willingness to part with multiple picks for him and take on his contract in full. His play early in the campaign drew criticism, but was not enough for head coach Ron Rivera to consider benching him. The team was nevertheless obligated to try other options at the position when Wentz suffered a broken thumb.
That paved the way for Taylor Heinicke to regain his starting role, one which he maintained even after Wentz was activated from IR. The QB pecking order did change once again, however, in Week 17 when Wentz got the nod to lead the team in their late-season playoff push. After both passers failed to deliver performances worthy of keeping their role in 2023, rookie Sam Howell was named the starter entering next season.
Once that decision became clear, it was a matter of time before the Commanders cut ties with Wentz. This move will give them roughly $26.2MM in cap savings, a figure which will not (at least to a great extent) be put towards a veteran replacement. Rivera has insisted that competition for Howell will be acquired at some point this offseason, but other priorities exist on the roster. Given the added flexibility from cutting Wentz, the Commanders now sit inside the top 10 in the league in cap space.
That could make it easier to retain defensive tackle Daron Payne, who is likely to receive the franchise tag this year. Increased funds will go a long way in a making a long-term deal possible, or to help in acquiring a less expensive starter along the defensive front. For Wentz, the timing of this release will give him a head start on free agency, as he searches for his best fit to rebuild his value, though that will likely not involve a starting position in 2023.
Perhaps the easiest decision of the whole offseason. I’m still amazed they traded two 3rd rounders for the right to pay $28 million to a guy getting dumped for the second straight offseason.
honestly tho the Colts would’ve been better off keeping him
Goku the All Knowing Not really, they are better off with the picks. They weren’t going anywhere with Wentz, and Matt Ryan was the higher ceiling play for a year or two. I don’t think anyone expected Ryan to be as physically washed as he was.
They could’ve had Phillip Rivers 2.0 with Ryan, it just didn’t work out.
idk I think they have a pretty BA roster with terrible QB play.
not to say Wentz is all that good, but he was decent for them, much better than what they had last year. prob would’ve made playoffs over Jags and no guarantee Wentz gets that same injury in a different setting.
Wentz is easy to laugh at, but hes overall mediocre with higher expectations, not a blatantly bad qb
Irsay tho wanted to rid of this guy quickly as possible. Idk from what I hear he’s a cancer wherever he goes
Given how much worse Indy’s line got last year, I think Wentz would’ve been pretty awful too. The cap hit on Ryan isn’t a bad price for the draft picks and #4. As long as you’re one of the people who kept their job.
there were certainly some aspects that made the series of QB moves make sense.
where they’re at now, they got some picks and a good QB mentor in Ryan for a young draft pick.
I’ll change my answer to they’d have been better off with Wentz last year, but overall they ended up fine, just wasted a potential playoff season.
That’s fair. With either guy, I would’ve kept Hilton as a pro in the receiver room and had a better veteran placeholder at left tackle. I like Raimann as a prospect, but asking him to be in charge of an immobile QB’s blindside as a rookie with limited football experience coming in was a recipe for failure.
I’m still amazed too. I get the appeal of giving him another chance, but only for something close to the league minimum,
bears, get on this, could be a good backup qb for us. Working with a very similar qb in Fields that he was working with Hurts
I think the only thing Wentz did to help Hurts was play so badly that they gave Hurts a look.
Wentz didn’t work with Hurts. Wentz made it clear he didn’t want to be second fiddle to anyone. I doubt he’ll accept any backup role.
Vegas Vipers need a QB
I am pulling for the other football team in Vegas to sign him. It would fit the Josh McDaniel’s mold of losing the locker room, fully believing he is smarter than everyone else, and if he can win with Wentz the Brady and Bill talk would die.
I also would love to hear the Derek Carr “That Moth3rFu(k3r”
I’d say there’s a good chance his thinking has changed from back then. He’s had a humbling few years since then, and should be able to recognize that that’s his reality now. Of course he wanted his chance to go elsewhere and save his career as a starter, at the time.
He’d have to be very stupid to still have that mindset.
Then he might not get a job…
Back to chasing tumble weeds in North Dakota.
he seemed like a nice guy back then
Next stop, New York Football Giants.
I was thinking New York Football Jets who always find a way to come up short when pursuing players like Rodgers and Carr.
Your Giants hatred never stops, huh? The Giants, who have no history of signing washed QBs to start for them, are going to sign washed Carson Wentz? Seems more like a move your Jets would make.
My Giants dislike is pure because they act like they’re entitled. They tag or sign Daniel Jones, then Barkley’s gone. Tag or sign Barkley, they can sign Wentz at a bargain price so he can continue his tour of the NFC East.
Bucs make sense if he’s looking for a chance to start. Dude can still laugh his way to the bank thanks to his last contract, but if he wants to stay in the league he’s gonna have to prove he can hold a clip board. Trask probably ain’t it, so there’s a few starts to be had and there’s some talent to throw to still
absolutely a fit
Chad Henne retired in KC, that’s where my money is. If you can’t be a starter, be a backup to a stud that can get you more jewelry. He’s already got one because of Foles.
no way.
there’s at least 3 or 4 teams he could start for or at least bridge a 1st round rookie
Over the past two seasons, Chad Henne made $5.25 million and attempted 25 passes. I don’t think that’s the job Wentz would want.
It’s the job I would want, though. Maybe they should sign me. I’ll even knock it down to $5 million.
Oscar that’s a good thought just so he doesn’t come back to Philly!
Heinicke is their best QB. If Rivera had kept him as the starter instead of sticking Wentz in there, they would have made the playoffs
Man, this is just foolish!!! They could have traded him and, say, two seconds to the Ravens for Lamar!!!
Kidding, kidding…
Wentz’ send in Philly was bad but credit Howie with a great recovery to trade to the Colts for a great return.
niners!!
Saints
Backup to Watson in Cleveland?
cya bozo