Commanders release Carson Wentz after one season in Washington

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The Washington Commanders have ended their relationship with quarterback Carson Wentz after just one season, as they announced his release on Monday. 

Head coach Ron Rivera was among Commanders brass that lobbied for a Wentz trade with the Indianapolis Colts for draft compensation. However, Wentz’s inconsistencies throughout the season saw Rivera bench him, going to Taylor Heinicke instead midway through the year. 

This offseason, Wentz getting cut by Washington was a hot topic because of their cap situation. With Wentz aboard, the Commanders had about $8.3 million to work with in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. 

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Carson Wentz of the Washington Commanders throws a pass against the Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The opt-out of his contract allows the Commanders to now save $26,176,471 toward their cap, exponentially boosting their ability to bolster their roster elsewhere this offseason. Wentz was set to be Washington’s top cap hit in 2023. 

But the main factor for Wentz’s release is the Commanders’ faith that Sam Howell, their fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, can be their quarterback of the future. With Wentz’s release and Heinicke set to become a free agent in March, Howell will be the only quarterback on the roster when the new league year begins. 

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Howell started just one game for the Commanders last season and it resulted in a 26-6 Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, where he went 11-for-19 for 169 yards with a