ASHBURN, Va. — The first impression of quarterback Carson Wentz left the Washington Commanders excited for the next one. They saw what they had hoped to see this spring: a strong arm that should open up their offense. The work ethic, the brains.
These attributes made Wentz attractive to the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him No. 2 overall in 2016, and the Indianapolis Colts, who traded for him in March 2021. Now they are the attributes the Commanders point to after trading for Wentz on March 9, hoping he can solidify a position that has been a revolving door for decades.
To recap: Since winning the Super Bowl after the 1991 season, Washington has started 31 different quarterbacks — nine over the past three seasons. Also to recap: Wentz was traded in each of the past two offseasons, something that would have been difficult to fathom just a couple years ago.
Both sides need this pairing to work.
“I’d like nothing more than to play here for a long time and have a lot of success,” Wentz said.
He is signed for three more years, but has no guaranteed money after 2022. Whether he becomes the long-term answer remains to be seen, but Washington liked what it saw this spring.
“There’s a lot of different things he’s capable of doing,” offensive coordinator Scott Turner said. “Obviously a very skilled player. You see him out at practice, he’s a big, physical guy. He can really push the ball down the field.”
For Washington, Wentz is the latest example of a quarterback offering hope.
In 2018, Alex Smith arrived via trade following one of his best seasons with Kansas City. His career changed, and was nearly ended, with a broken fibula and tibia. In 2019 Washington drafted Dwayne Haskins with the No. 15 pick overall. He was cut before the end of his second season. Last year, the organization hoped…
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