When the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz to be their new starting quarterback in 2022, they were hoping to have their first multiple-season solution at the position since Kirk Cousins.
With Wentz struggling in his first year in Washington — including facing plenty of heat from coach Ron Rivera — those hopes are fading fast. The Commanders also selected Sam Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and at 1-4, currently hold the No. 5 overall in 2023. That would give them at leas two options to replace Wentz ahead of next season.
The Commanders did give up '22 second- and third-round picks plus a '23 conditional third-round pick to get Wentz, but they also got a second- and seventh-round pick in return. That means they gave up little in net draft capital to take a shot on Wentz and don't need to get too attached to him.
Here's a detailed look at the kind of contract Wentz has with the Commanders and how they can get out of it next offseason:
Carson Wentz contract details
Back in the summer of 2019, after the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option as their No. 2 overall pick in the '16 draft, Wentz got a lucrative second NFL contract. He agreed to a four-year, $128 million deal with Philadelphia then, with more than $107 million in total guarantees.
He remains signed through the 2024 season. In '22, he is earning a base salary of $22 million along with a $6.294 million roster bonus. That adds up to a salary cap hit of $28.294 million for Washington.
In 2023, Wentz is set to make $20 million in base salary with a $6.176 million roster bonus, eating up more than $26 million of the Commanders' cap. In 2024, the final year of his original extension, the numbers are similar with a $21 million base salary and $6.235 million bonus to count $27.235 against the cap.
Based on his shaky play early for the Commanders, Wentz won't be getting a restructured contract that earns him a bump in salary. It's now more likely Washington will want to just get out of the contract and find a true young franchise passer, most likely in the draft.
Wentz will turn only 30 in November but would be in play for a cheaper backup role should he disappoint the Commanders as much as he did the Eagles and Colts in the previous two seasons.
The Colts found a willing partner to move Wentz and the remnants of his Eagles contract in a trade. The Commanders could move on from Wentz a lot easier than that. Whenever the team might choose to trade or release Wentz in 2023, Washington would not be on the hook for any dead money and recoup the full $26.176 million under the cap.
Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner are not expected to fired, no matter the Commanders' results in 2022. If they both stay and Wentz can't improve his clutch play and avoid key turnovers, at this rate, Wentz won't be back in Washington, following his one-and-done in Indianapolis.
