The Washington Commanders took the path of least resistance.
The NFC East club struck a deal with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday that sends quarterback Carson Wentz to Washington. According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, the Commanders send a 2022 third-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick to Indianapolis. If Wentz plays 70% of the plays, the Colts’ 2023 third-round conditional pick increases to a 2023 second-rounder.
Washington also receives the Colts’ 2022 second-round selection.
With Washington trading for Wentz, it means the 7-10 club from a year ago has no room to acquire Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The Commanders were a team that figured to be in the running given their lack of stability at quarterback since Kirk Cousins signed with the Minnesota Vikings in the 2018 offseason. Washington had some fortune with former Pro Bowler Alex Smith until he broke his leg incidentally against the Texans in Week 11 of that season. Washington drafted Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the first round in 2019, but he quickly fizzled out and the club has started a combination of Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Kyle Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, and Taylor Heinicke since.
If the Commanders were to seriously take part in the Watson trade, they would need to surrender first-round picks and frontline starters, one of which might include defensive end Chase Young. Even if the Texans and Commanders had a deal in place, Watson would have to be sold on the move as his no-trade clause can nix any potential deal not to his liking.
The three-time Pro Bowler is currently a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women have alleged Watson committed sexual assault. Watson’s first deposition in the lawsuit is scheduled for March 11. Until the legal situation is resolved, NFL teams are wary as to how much they will invest in Watson and when.
