The Washington Commanders will start Carson Wentz as quarterback for the team’s week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Wentz was benched earlier on in the season after getting off to a rugged 2-4 start as the Commanders’ starting quarterback. He entered to replace Taylor Heinicke a week ago during Washington’s 17-point loss to the San Francisco 49ers, after Heinicke turned the football over twice in the second half.
Senior NFL Insider, Adam Schefter, announced the news of Washington’s quarterback change Wednesday on Twitter.
Commanders’ QB Carson Wentz will start Sunday vs. Cleveland.
Wentz broke his right ring finger in October, and later lost the starting job to Taylor Heinicke.
The Commanders are 7-7-1, clinging to the NFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, and need Wentz to come through. pic.twitter.com/q60VJM6dxu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2022
All season long, the quarterback situation in Washington has been average at best. That said, Wentz being renamed the Commanders’ quarterback will give him a prime opportunity to lead the team on a run into the postseason.
Washington currently sits in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC postseason picture. If Washington can defeat Cleveland on Sunday and then knock off the Dallas Cowboys in week 18, they will be in the playoffs again for the first time since 2020, according to Pro Football Reference.
I think Wentz reentering the fray here will give Washington’s organization a clear signal of whether he’s their franchise quarterback or not. If Wentz can lead the Commanders to a pair of wins to close out the regular season and get into the playoffs and make a little bit of noise there, I’m confident that he will remain their starter for the foreseeable future. If he goes on to play poorly, I’m afraid that his career in the NFL as a starter will be over. I think Wentz’ future depends squarely on how he plays in these next two games. (RELATED: Legendary Defensive End J.J. Watt Announces Retirement From NFL)
Wentz has thrown the football for 1,612 yards this season with 11 total touchdowns and just six interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference.
Not only are these final two games remaining on Washington’s schedule the most important for their team, but they may very well be the most important for Wentz’s career too.