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While the Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East with the NFL’s only undefeated record and the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants follow closely behind with one loss each, things have not been so great for the Washington Commanders in 2022.
Washington currently sits at 1-4, already four games behind the Eagles for the division lead. Much of the Commanders’ struggles are on the offensive side of the ball. They’re averaging just 18 points per game. That ranks just 26th in the entire NFL.
Quarterback Carson Wentz, whom the team traded for in the offseason, has already thrown six interceptions. He’s also fumbled three times.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera is aware of Wentz’s struggles and says they’re a big reason why the team is struggling.
Ron Rivera Throws Carson Wentz Under The Bus With Comments
Rivera was asked why he thinks the other teams in the division are further ahead at this point in the season. His one-word answer was a stark indictment of Wentz.
"Why do you think the teams in the division are farther ahead at this point?"
Ron Rivera: "quarterback"
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Rivera eventually specified that he believes Wentz has done some things well this year. But he also feels that Washington needs to build around Wentz and get the level of continuity that the other teams have on offense.
“If you look at teams that sustain success, they’re able to build it around a specific quarterback,” he said. “Now we have a guy we think we have a chance to build around…The way he performed yesterday showed what he’s capable of. We chose him because we believe in him.”
Wentz began his career in Philadelphia after the Eagles selected him No. 2 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. After an up-and-down rookie season, Wentz excelled in 13 games prior to tearing his ACL in his second year. The Eagles then went on to win the Super Bowl with Nick Foles.
Wentz has struggled to recreate that success since and was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 before being traded again to the Commanders in the offseason.
Whatever Rivera’s expectations were for him in Washington, it’s clear they haven’t been met.