Commanders Bench Carson Wentz For Season Finale, Rookie QB Will Start

Videos by OutKick

Carson Wentz’s season has reportedly come to an end.

With the Washington Commanders officially out of the postseason hunt, the team will turn the reins over to rookie QB Sam Howell in the season finale against the Cowboys, the team announced Wednesday afternoon.

Is the Carson Wentz era with the Commanders over?

It seems like a certainty Wentz’s time as the starting QB of the Washington Commanders is over. The Commanders can dump him at the end of the season, and it’s hard to imagine that doesn’t happen.

On the season, the team was a pathetic 2-6 in games he appeared in, and his stats were not good. If he doesn’t play against the Cowboys as reported, he’ll end the season with just 1,755 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. His QBR stands at a very low 33.2.

Carson Wentz.
Carson Wentz benched for final game of the season. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Now, the team will start Sam Howell to close out the season and fans will be very interested to see what the former Tar Heels gunslinger can do.

Entering his final season at UNC, he had all the hype imaginable. He was viewed as a possible Heisman favorite. Unfortunately, his stock dropped and he fell big time in the draft. Can he become a serviceable NFL QB or even a career backup? Fans will likely get a look Sunday against Dallas in week 18.

Sam Howell will reportedly play week 18 against the Cowboys. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Jeremy Fowler had previously reported Taylor Heinicke would also play in the game, but that was before the Howell announcement happened.

It’s not longer clear whether or not Heinicke is still part of the game plan.

Is this the end of Carson Wentz the Commanders? Fans will find out soon enough, but for now, it’s the Sam Howell show.

Editor’s note: This piece has been updated with the latest information from the Commanders.

Written by David Hookstead

David Hookstead is a reporter for OutKick covering a variety of topics with a focus on football and culture.

He also hosts of the podcast American Joyride that is accessible on Outkick where he interviews American heroes and outlines their unique stories. Before joining OutKick, Hookstead worked for the Daily Caller for seven years covering similar topics.

Hookstead is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.

One Comment

Leave a Reply
  1. I want to take the time to personally thank coach Ron Rivera for making a great coaching decision that was very much beneficial to my Green Bay Packers this past Sunday. Maybe it is Karma for throwing his DC Jack Del Rio under the bus before the start of the season? Anyway thanks for week 18 meaningful to me.

Leave a Reply