Carson Wentz is the new hope of the now Commanders

Since Washington won its last Super Bowl, at the end of the 1991 season, the team has used 32 starting quarterbacks.

Welcome Carson Wentzto a list that includes some infamous names, such as Cary Conklin, Heath Shuler, John Friesz, Gus Frerotte, Tony Banks, Jeff GeorgeShane Matthews, Patrick Ramsey, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Hasselbeck, Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Rex Grossman, John Beck, Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy, Mark SanchezCase Keenum, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke y Garrett Gilbert.

Ryan Fitzpatrick he’s another one of those 32 quarterbacks, but the veteran injured his hip in Week 1 last season and the team had to break glass in an emergency and use Heinicke.

If we add to that a defense that lost half a campaign to Chase Young (anterior cruciate ligament) and never able to show the level of 2020, the result was a disappointing 7-10 in the second season of the head coach Ron Rivera in command of the now Commanders.

Looking for a new starting quarterback, Washington offered a package of college picks to the Indianapolis Colts to get Wentz. In addition, the Commanders will take over his entire contract, which represented a $28.3 million hit to this year’s salary cap.

This second overall pick in the 2016 Draft failed to take the Colts to the Playoffs in 2021 and only once in five years in Philadelphia. His 44-40-1 record says exactly who Carson James Wentz is.

But in Washington they trust that he can be the solution to their eternal problems in the most important position.

Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and rookie Jahan Dotson They make up an interesting hat trick of wide receivers at Wentz’s disposal.

McLaurin led the team in 2021 with 77 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns, and is one of two NFC wide receivers (Justin Jefferson) with at least 75 catches and 1,000 yards in the past two seasons.

Samuel is trying to come back after playing just five games last season, when Washington signed him as a free agent from Carolina.and Dotson is small, but explosive.

The Commanders’ backfield is one of the best in the NFL. Antonio Gibson totaled 1,331 combined yards (1,037 rushing, 294 receiving) with 10 touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving); J.D. McKissic He was second on the team with 43 receptions, 397 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the rookie joins the mix. Brian Robinsonfrom Alabama.

The offensive line will have two new guards –Andrew Norwell y Trai Turner-, but neither of them will be able to fill the shoes of Brandon Scherffwho departed via free agency.

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The big comeback?

After a solid performance in 2020, last season was a setback for the defense of coach Rivera and his coordinator, Jack Del Rio.

Chase Young, the Defensive Rookie in 2020, is ruled out for the start of the 2022 season and is likely to miss at least the first month of the regular schedule.

Also, the Commanders lost safety Landon Collinsal tackle Matt Ioannidis y al linebacker Jon Bostic. Collins was one of the leaders of the defense and neither Chamber Curlis Bobby McCain they dominate the “buffalo nickel” position, in which the safety is basically used as a third linebacker.

This season will also be key for Jamin Davis (2021 first-round pick), who is looking to establish himself as the starting linebacker, alongside Cole Holcomb.

After starting 2-6, Washington won four in a row and it looked like Rivera’s team could contend for a postseason berth, but injuries and a short roster ended that dream.

That was against one of the toughest schedules in 2021; this year, the Commanders have one of the “easiest” and that could be an advantage in the always unpredictable NFC East Division.

So don’t write off Washington as one of the surprises in 2022.

Washington Commanders

Record in 2021: 7-10

Estadio: FedEx Field

Super Bowl titles: 3

Head coach: Ron Rivera

Offensive Coordinator: Scott Turner

defensive coordinator: Jack Del Rio

Calendar 2022