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The Washington Commanders fired quarterback Carson Wentz and defenseman Bobby McCain on Monday, saving them nearly $29 million in salary cap just weeks before free agency began and paving the way for the team’s younger talent.
Although both moves were expected, they mark the end of a brief era in Washington. Wentz, who the Commanders acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts last year, only started in seven games because of a finger injury. The Commanders were 2-4 when he underwent surgery and Taylor Heinicke took over.
Wentz returned in Week 17 as a starter for a game against the Cleveland Browns that all but sealed his fate. Washington was 7-7-1 when Wentz Heinicke took over, throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns in a loss that knocked Washington out of playoff contention.
Pickaxes, sacks and boos lead Carson Wentz into an uncertain future
As part of their trade for Wentz, the Commanders traded 2022 second-round picks with the Colts, giving up a 2022 third-round and a 2023 third-round pick. Wentz had just one year of guaranteed money left on his contract, allowing Washington to pull off a clean break after one season without taking on dead money — or money that would count towards his cap.
For the first time in his career, Wentz will be a free agent. This offseason will see him looking for his fourth team in four seasons, a steep drop for the 2016 draft pick.
With Heinicke also facing Free Agency, for now at least, Commanders will be turning to Sam Howell, a fifth-round pick in 2022 who is the only quarterback on the books for 2023. Howell will go to camp as a prospective starter, but coach Ron Rivera has indicated he hopes to add a veteran in some capacity, and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy agreed there is a need for competition in the quarterbacks space.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the boy,” he said of Howell. “But above all, you always want to create competition. They want to make sure we get the best out of the people who have been in that particular position.”
What to Expect from Eric Bieniemy’s Commanders Offense
McCain’s departure is largely due to the emergence of Darrick Forrest, a 2021 fifth-round pick who proved a key part of the Commanders’ secondary school in 2022 after playing mostly on special teams as a rookie. Forrest recorded a team-high with four interceptions, as well as two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 88 tackles.
McCain’s play at free safety, coupled with Benjamin St-Juste’s performance at cornerback, prompted Washington to place McCain as the third safety in his “Buffalo” nickel package. McCain’s versatility allowed the team flexibility in utilizing their defensive backs, and as Washington reconfigures their secondary again, adding more positional flexibility will be a priority.
The Commanders have long valued defensive backs who can play on multiple courts and make changes during a game or even a series — players like safety Kam Curl, who played mostly as a linebacker last season, and cornerback Kendall Fuller, who can play indoors and outdoors.
The 2023 draft class is fairly heavy on defensive back talent, and some analysts expect Washington to add a defensive back in the early rounds. But the team’s needs span many positions, including offensive line, tight end, linebacker and, of course, quarterback.
For Rivera and the Commanders’ staff and coaching staff, work begins in earnest this week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis — the same place Washington decided to trade for Wentz a year ago.