The NFL quarterback carousel was in full effect last week. Once Aaron Rodgers announced that he was going to remain with the Green Bay Packers, teams around the league got moving on other transactions to fill their respective needs under center. One team that got into the action was the Washington Commanders.
They acquired Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2022 third-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in 2023 that can become a second-round pick if Wentz plays at least 70 percent of the snaps. The teams also swapped second-round picks in 2022 and Washington received a 2022 seventh-round pick as well.
Wentz will be taking over the starting job from Taylor Heinicke, who replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 1 when he injured his hip and was the starter the remainder of the season. Washington is hoping that Wentz provides enough of an upgrade to help elevate the offense enough to challenge for a playoff spot.
What can we expect from Wentz as he returns to the NFC East? Here are three bold predictions for the 2022 season with the Commanders.
3. Turns Terry McLaurin Into A Star
The Washington Commanders have a true No. 1 receiver in Terry McLaurin, who had a solid 2021 season despite inconsistent quarterback play. He has the makings to be one of the best receivers in the league and with presumably better performance from Wentz, the football world will finally see it.
Wentz is the best quarterback that McLaurin will have had thus far in his NFL career. The same could possibly be said about McLaurin being the best wide receiver that Wentz will be throwing the ball to in his career.
Wentz helped Michael Pittman Jr. to a breakout season in 2021 and he will do the same with McLaurin in 2022. McLaurin will break the 1,200 yark mark and catch at least seven touchdown passes as well.
2. Single Digit Turnovers Again
There are a lot of people that believe Wentz has a propensity to turn the ball over with regularity. However, when taking a look at his statistics, things don’t add up.
He has thrown seven interceptions in a season four times. Only twice, his rookie season in 2016 when he threw 14 and an injury-marred 2020 in which he threw 15, were the only times he threw more than seven in a season.
Wentz will continue to shake off the stigma of being a turnover machine this season by limiting his interceptions once again. He will be in the single digits for the fifth time in seven seasons, protecting the ball and not taking as many risks.
1. Sets New Career-Highs
Washington is going to provide Wentz with a lot of things to help him succeed. They have a star in the making at wide receiver in McLaurin, a steady presence at tight end in Logan Thomas and a good run game led by Antonio Gibson. But, the thing he will benefit the most from is a strong offensive line.
Washington had the No. 6 ranked offensive line in 2021, while the Colt finished 12th. Wentz has taken a beating at times behind some poor offensive lines, so being behind a strong one in Washington will help take his game to another level.
It will result in him returning to near his form in 2017 when Wentz looked to be a front runner for the MVP before injuring his knee. He will set a new career-high with at least 4,200 passing yards and throw for 35 touchdowns.
