Carson Wentz Trade: UKHTTC Lightning Takes

Well, if at first you don’t succeed.

After a very public declaration by the Commanders Front Office that Washington were all in on acquiring a QB1, the news broke tonight via ESPN that former NFC East foe Carson Wentz will be suiting up for the burgundy & gold.

The trade details:

Colts get:

2022 third-round pick

2023 third-round pick that can become a second if Carson Wentz plays 70 percent of plays.

2022 second-round pick

Commanders get:

QB Carson Wentz

2022 second-round pick.

Here at UKHTTC we offer three lightning fast takes on a trade that did not include any first-round picks or personnel.

It is not a Game Manager™ QB

Carson is not in the Teddy Bridgewater/Alex Smith/Jimmy Garoppolo sphere of quarterbacks.

Wentz is far more of a hot & cold guy under centre, with both arm & natural talent in abundance. This is a guy who can make all the throws – whether he can elevate and rally the roster in the locker room is more of a legitimate question than his talent.

And like magic, the cap is dwindling and with this move Rivera is on a hotter seat

Wentz will be paid VERY well with Washington taking on the full $28m dollar hit in 2022.

By committing to such a significant salary at the QB position in 2022 it underlines that Rivera really does believe that the current Commanders roster is a QB away from genuine contention.

If looking purely at the NFC East, then you could argue that Washington now have the second best QB in the division.

After the message of culture change rightfully occupying the first year or so of the Rivera reign, this is now all about football in Washington. He has on paper, a talented DL of first round picks, a QB upgrade from 2020 and 2021 and another draft ahead with a full complement of picks.

Whether we the fans agree, Rivera does seem to have confidence in the personnel already here. This acquisition of Carson Wentz moves the franchise into win now mode and if the Commanders disappoint in 2022, expect questions to be asked of the Head Coach.

The 2022 QB Draft Class

One scenario whereby I predict a rookie QB is taken by this Front Office, would be for Washington to add an additional second-round pick via a trade of pick 11 to a QB-needy team.

A potential trade partner might be the Steelers to swap pick 11 for the Pittsburgh pick 20 and their second rounder.

If this happens, then a QB such as Carson Strong might still be around and can sit behind Wentz, with the Commanders likely to take a WR (or BPA) in the lower half of the first round. Overall, it seems the focus might be on the draft rather than FA in Washington.