Former Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders decision puts Carson Wentz on new career path

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 2/27/23

When the Commanders cut Carson Wentz on Monday, it likely sealed his future in the NFL. Wentz's days of being a starting QB in the NFL are over. He's a backup now.

Several teams could be in for a change at QB this offseason, but it's difficult to envision Wentz winning a starting role next season, or beyond.

A former second-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Commanders were Wentz's third team in three seasons. He was traded to Indianapolis after the 2020 season and failed to catch on in his one year with the Colts. Last offseason, he was traded to Washington.

As ESPN's Field Yates noted on Twitter, his trade value greatly diminished over the past three years.

He netted the Eagles a first- and third-round pick and the Colts a second- and two third-round picks. The Commanders won't get anything for their troubles, not even a lousy t-shirt.

Carson Wentz over the past 3 offseasons:

2021: Traded to the Colts for a 2021 3rd and 2022 1st round pick

2022: Traded with a 2022 2nd and 7th round pick to the Commanders for 2022 2nd and 3rd round picks plus a 2023 3rd round pick

2023: Released by the Commanders
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 27, 2023

Over his past three seasons, Wentz started 36 games and went 14-21-1. He completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 7,938 yards, 54 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. His QB average (83.6) during that span is only 4.4 points above average.

Warren Sharp painted an even uglier picture of Wentz's run. Among 24 QBs with 1,000 pass attempts since 2020, no one has struggled quite like Wentz.

*since 2020 (last 3 years)
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 27, 2023

It's hard to believe that back in 2017 during his second year in the league, Wentz looked like a franchise QB after he helped lead Philadelphia to an 11-2 regular season record. He tore his ACL against the Rams late that season and nothing was ever the same.

Nick Foles led the Eagles to their win in Super Bowl LII and Wentz slowly lost his grip on the starting role after that. Philadelphia then drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft, a decision that ended up sealing Wentz's fate.

More must-reads: