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The Washington Commanders have officially released quarterback Carson Wentz, according to the team. The move was unceremoniously announced in a brief post on the team’s official website.
Wentz — who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft — spent just one season with the Commanders.
During the 2022 season with the Commanders, Wentz started in seven games and compiled a 2-5 record. In those seven games, Wentz completed 62% of his passes for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
We have released the following players:
— S Bobby McCain
— QB Carson Wentz— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 27, 2023
Wentz started the first six games of the 2022 season and was placed on Injured Reserve after breaking his finger against the Chicago Bears. He returned to action in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Commanders believed that Wentz could use his veteran experience to push Washington to the playoffs, but after missing over half the season with his injury, those hopes ultimately did not pan out. [via Washington Commanders official website]
Prior to his year with the Commanders, Wentz has a similarly unsuccessful 2021 season with the Indianapolis Colts, which also saw the team give up on him after less than 12 months with the team.
Drafted as the #2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz spent five seasons in the City of Brotherly Love — which his best year coming in 2017, which saw the Eagles win the Super Bowl (albeit with Nick Foles under center in the big game) — before he was traded to Indy.
Following an ACL injury during the 2017 season, Wentz was never able to recapture the level of play that saw him amongst the league’s MVP candidates and a potential franchise quarterback during that lone season.
Given Wentz struggles in recent years and reports over the years of him being a subpar teammate, it’s difficult to imagine another team giving him a chance to be their starter.