When Washington last won a Super Bowl (SB XXVI), neither Taylor Heinicke nor Carson Wentz had even been born.
Wentz actually celebrated his 30th birthday Friday, Dec. 30 (1992). Commanders head coach Ron Rivera might as well be providing Wentz a birthday present because Wentz has been named the starter for Sunday’s home game against the Browns at 1 p.m.
For Wentz, it is an opportunity. Not just any opportunity to start another NFL game. This is a huge opportunity that will go a long way in determining Carson’s contract situation next season.
Even more, if Wentz performs well these last two weeks, he greatly increases his chances of being a starter here (or elsewhere) in 2023. 2022 was already said to be his last chance, and the first six games for Wentz were most often sealing the deal that he was not going to be an NFL starter in 2023.
However, after Washington won five of six, Taylor Heinicke began to really struggle at times such as a woeful 1-10 on third downs in a 20-12 discouraging home loss to the Giants on national television.
When the Commanders traded for Wentz, some Eagles and Colts fans did not hesitate to voice their disapproval of Wentz. Washington fans were just as quick beginning with Week 2 when with Wentz under center, the Commanders dropped four straight games.
Wentz during that four-game losing streak looked lost too often. He also looked helpless too often, and quite a bit of that blame goes to the offensive line who simply did little to protect him on passing downs.
Make no mistake; there is great pressure on Wentz. He certainly knows what is at stake. Wentz doesn’t want to fail. He needs this opportunity to go well for his career, not only here, but if he is to be a starter again in the NFL.
Wentz needs to come through these next two weeks, despite the fact today we learned he will have to do it this week without Antonio Gibson.
Happy birthday, Carson.