When new Washington quarterback Carson Wentz met with the media after his first training camp practice, he appeared happy and content. Wentz smiled in his interactions with reporters, offering detailed answers — all with a smile on his face.
Now in his seventh NFL season, Wentz is on his third team in three seasons. While the trade to Washington may have shocked Wentz initially, he quickly realized the opportunity in front of him.
On Wednesday, he made it clear he’s excited to be with the Commanders.
“I feel good,” Wentz said. “Honestly, it’s been a fun adjustment, new adjustment from the moment we got here in the spring. Just kind of stayed the course, keep learning the playbook, learning these guys, got around ’em a little bit this summer too. Today was fun to get back out there and officially kick it off the right way. We got a lot of work to do. I got a lot of work to do, but I’m excited for the season.”
Sure, the first time Wentz throws an interception in the regular season, some will call for Taylor Heinicke or Sam Howell. But that’s Washington. It wouldn’t matter if the Commanders had Tom Brady under center; some would insist on a quarterback controversy at the first sign of trouble.
In his chat with reporters, Wentz talked about everything. He discussed his excitement for camp, the playbook, working out with several teammates in California and being a leader.
Wentz’s leadership style is simple; be yourself and let those relationships build naturally.
“You try not to do anything out of the ordinary,” Wentz said. “You just let those relationships naturally build. You know, you come in for me, this is year seven, things are different. I’m a little older, a little different perspective and relatively younger team, younger locker room. And so just how do you build relationships? It looks different every year. Every locker room looks different, but you just have to be intentional and build that chemistry and that relationship in time. And it’s a lot of good dudes in there, and it’s been fun getting to know them.”
Wentz has certainly put forth the effort, and his teammates have noticed. Team leaders Jonathan Allen and Terry McLaurin have continually praised Wentz.
Fitting in is not an issue for Wentz. Now, it’s all about proving his worth on the field in 2022.