After a rookie season-ending injury, Eagles fans were left wondering if Carson Wentz would ever return to the caliber of player he was projected to be. Rivera revealed that Wentz is “really close” and should be back for next year’s training camp.
The “ron rivera” is a football coach for the Carolina Panthers. He has revealed an important clue about Carson Wentz and his NFL career.
Carson Wentz has had a difficult two years as a quarterback. Wentz, who was once billed as the franchise quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, is ready to join his third club in as many years and is coming off back-to-back poor seasons.
Wentz was moved to the Washington Commanders this summer after a disappointing year with the Indianapolis Colts. Several experts and observers see this as a death knell for Wentz’s NFL career. Few quarterbacks thrive in Washington, which is one of the worst-run franchises in the league.
Wentz’s initial news conference with his new squad, on the other hand, provided some insight into how this next chapter should unfold for him.
Ron Rivera wants Carson Wentz to be the Commanders’ quarterback for the long haul.
Trading for Carson Wentz “doesn’t stop us” from picking a quarterback, according to Ron Rivera. “He is our QB 1 moving forward,” he said, “and I’d want to see this be a very long tenure, and I mean that.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 17, 2022
There was a lot of discussion when the Commanders made the deal for Wentz, whether it was a short-term or long-term move. The Commanders still have a high first-round selection this year, so they could easily rationalize drafting a young quarterback to “groom” under Wentz for a year or two.
When the Eagles attempted this method with Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz in 2020, it failed spectacularly. In Washington, a comparable circumstance would very certainly end in a same conclusion.
When questioned about his team’s new quarterback, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera appeared to dismiss the notion that Wentz would be a one-year deal. He indicated unequivocally that he believes Wentz will be his team’s long-term starter — a franchise quarterback, if you will.
“I think it is. When asked whether Wentz could be a long-term starter in Washington, Rivera said, “I feel [Wentz] is what we’re looking for.” “His skill set is ideal for us, particularly in terms of what we want to accomplish and how we want to attack our opponents. “I think our quarterback position is a good fit for us.”
“More than anything else, the message to him is that we believe in him.” Rivera said, “That’s why we went ahead and did it.” “My intention was to make sure he realized it was because we believe in him, that we want him here, that he is desired here, and I think it helps make the transition a little smoother as well.”
The Commanders are in urgent need of a reliable quarterback.
Getty Images/Scott Taetsch/Carson Wentz
From the outside, it’s difficult to believe Wentz can miraculously turn himself into a franchise quarterback once again. However, he must be aware of the circumstance he is about to enter.
In decades, Washington has lacked a real franchise quarterback. Kirk Cousins was the closest they came, but he never signed a long-term deal with the team.
With Wentz, the Commanders have a quarterback who at the very least gives them a shot to compete with the rest of their division and the NFC. Wentz is not without blemishes. He is, though, still a high-ceiling athlete coming off a season in which he scored 27 touchdowns and threw seven interceptions. Players like that don’t just appear out of nowhere.
Carson Wentz now has some weapons to work with.
According to Ron Rivera, renegotiating Carson Wentz’s contract (restructuring, extension, etc.) is a possibility:
“That’s something we’re going to start talking about as we go ahead because we’ve got a number of our own people we want to look after and sign long-term agreements with.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
In an ideal scenario, Wentz and Washington reach an agreement on a long-term contract before the season ends. However, before that can happen, the experienced quarterback will have to gain the confidence of his new teammates.
The good news for Wentz is that he’ll be joining an offense with some weapons to work with. Terry McLaurin will be the finest wide receiver he’s ever thrown to. Curtis Samuel, Logan Thomas, and Antonio Gibson are also capable offensive weapons.
Only time will tell whether Washington and Wentz’s union succeeds. Early signals, on the other hand, are optimistic.
Pro Football Reference provided all stats.
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