This week has been busy in the NFL as far as quarterbacks are concerned. On Tuesday we learned about the millionaire extension of Aaron Rodgers with the Packers, in addition to the arrival of Russell Wilson to the Broncos after a trade with the Seahawks. And, this Wednesday, the main news was the return to the NFC East of Carson Wentz, former Eagles quarterback. This time, in the colors of another Cowboys divisional rival.
According to different reports, Wentz will join the Washington Commanders from the Indianapolis Colts through a trade between the two franchises. The quarterback, the #2 overall pick in the 2016 Draft, came to the Colts in 2021 after a trade with the Eagles. However, Wentz’s performance with the colts was not what was expected, which led the leadership to seek his departure.
The @Colts have agreed to trade QB Carson Wentz to the @Commanders. (via @RapSheet)
The 2023 third-round pick can become a second if Wentz plays 70% of the Commanders’ snaps in the 2022 season. #ForTheShoe | #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/TZVq48z3g2
— NFL Australia (@NFLAustralia) March 10, 2022
Aside from Wentz, the Commanders will also receive the Colts’ second-round pick in this year’s Draft. In exchange, Indianapolis will receive Washington’s second- and third-round picks in 2022, plus a conditional third-round pick in 2023. That pick can become a second-round pick if Wentz plays 70% of the snaps for the season.
With this trade, Wentz returns to the division in which he played for five seasons with the colors of the Eagles. Now, the North Dakota State product will face not only his old team, but also Philadelphia and Washington’s archrivals: the Dallas Cowboys.
Reactions in Dallas after Wentz trade
In his career, Carson Wentz has faced the Cowboys eight times, going 4-4. The quarterback completed 67% of his passes, throwing for 1,836 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Besides, Wentz has been listed by some analysts as a better QB than Dak Prescott. This, in part, because they both came to the NFL after the 2016 Draft: Wentz in round 1 (#2 overall), and Prescott in round 4.
However, Wentz’s erratic performance in recent seasons has lowered his cache in the NFL. So much so, that some Cowboys have reacted positively to the news of the quarterback’s trade to the Commanders, their division rivals.
One of the first to react was Emmitt Smith, Dallas legend and current sports analyst. Speaking with Andrew Siciliano on NFL Network, the former running back shared his impressions of Wentz’s return to the NFC East. And the evaluation of him is very positive.
“To the NFC East, welcome home Carson”Smith said on NFL Network. “But for my Cowboys, this will be a good thing.”
Emmitt Smith isn’t mad about the Carson Wentz trade ???? pic.twitter.com/0enAUKk6iO
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) March 9, 2022
Another cowboy who reacted to Carson Wentz’s return to the division was Trevon Diggs. Through his Twitter account, the Cowboys cornerback published an emoji of a happy face on Tuesday without giving more context. However, at the time of publication, many media outlets and fans are assuming this is a direct reaction to the news of Wentz’s arrival in Commanders.
If that’s the case, Diggs’ reaction is understandable. Recall that, in 2020, the cornerback recorded his first two interceptions in the NFL just after Wentz passes. Besides, the proneness to being picked off by Washington’s new QB may have Diggs rubbing his hands. More now, that he will face him twice a campaign.
????
— trevondiggs.eth (@TrevonDiggs) March 9, 2022
INTERCEPTION
Trevon Diggs catches Carson Wentz’s pass in the end zone. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/lJKekgag7d
— MaximoAvance.com (@maximoavance) November 2, 2020
Incorporate Wentz, Washington’s desperate measure?
Of course, reactions from the rest of the NFL to the Carson Wentz trade to Washington were swift. It’s worth noting that the Commanders have been in talks with the Seahawks for the Russell Wilson trade. However, Wilson opted for the Denver Broncos instead of the capital team.
Because of this, there are those who see Wentz’s addition as a desperate move by Washington. Even reporters like RJ Ochoa of Blogging The Boys see it as another of the recent “ridiculous” of this franchise. Considering Wentz’s decline in recent seasons, these valuations are fair.
The Washington franchise’s last few months:
– Copied Cowboys’ benches
– Lost in epic fashion while doing so
– Went with the most predictable name none of their fans wanted in Commanders
– Totally botched the years on their crest, fessed up in a lame way
– Traded for Carson Wentz– RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) March 9, 2022
Carson Wentz, arrived at the NFL after the 2016 Draft, played five seasons with the colors of the Eagles. The quarterback stood out in the 2017 season, leading Philadelphia to the playoffs after winning the division title. However, Wentz suffered an injury in week 14 that ended his campaign. And in the postseason, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
After that season, Wentz’s overall performance with the Eagles was spotty. His situation hit rock bottom in 2020, where he was relegated to the bench after 12 games in which he recorded 251 completions of 437 attempts (57.4%), throwing for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns. What was most alarming was the 15 interceptions and 50 sacks he received, plus the fact that he was 3-8-1 after those 12 games.
After giving the title to Jalen Hurts, the Eagles decided to trade Wentz in 2021, despite giving him a million-dollar contract extension in 2019. Already in the Colts, the quarterback would meet again with Frank Reich, former Philadelphia offensive coordinator and current colts head coach With this, Wentz’s career was expected to bounce back.
However, the result was not what was expected. Carson Wentz also had a mixed performance with the Colts in 2021, although he did improve a bit from the year before. The quarterback completed 62.4% of his passes, throwing for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns, receiving seven interceptions and 32 sacks. And while Indianapolis went 9-8, the way the season ended put the North Dakota State product on track.
WHAT A MISTAKE OF CARSON WENTZ ???? #NFLxFOX Elijah Molden with the pick six that gives the Titans the advantage
????️ @alexcorrea11
????️ @elnarrador pic.twitter.com/RMpPRYmpw5— FOX Impacto NFL (@FOXImpactoNFL) October 31, 2021
Indianapolis entered Week 17 needing to win only one of its last two games to advance to the playoffs. However, losses to the Raiders and Jaguars (the worst team in 2021) prevented qualification. After failing to lead the Colts to the playoffs, Wentz’s future was already in doubt. Aside from that, his propensity for interceptions and his irregularity made the fans not think well of him.
Now, following the trade announced Wednesday, the Washington Commanders will be the third team Wentz has played for in the past three seasons. Besides, this brings some morbidity for the 2022 season. Wentz will not only face the Colts this year, but also the Eagles (twice). And, knowing the Philadelphia crowd, his return to Lincoln Financial Field may not be a happy one.
There is no doubt that the return of Carson Wentz to the NFC East will be an extra ingredient for the division fight in the 2022 season. Besides, the comparisons between Wentz and Dak Prescott are likely to come up again. Either way, the QB’s arrival in Washington seems to be very well received by his rivals. And the Cowboys are no exception.
