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Carson Wentz held his introductory press conference today at the Washington Commanders headquarters in Ashburn, VA today. Head Coach Ron Rivera introduced him, and also spoke to the media after Wentz spoke.
Carson Wentz had a lot of questions surrounding his exit and trade from two teams over the last two seasons. The Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts both dumped him, and now the veteran QB has to grow and learn from those situations and his mistakes or his status in the NFL will drop even further.
To his credit, Wentz took responsibility for his poor play at the end of the Colts’ season. They seemed destined to make the playoffs, but crashed hard the last few weeks. Wentz took a lot of criticism for that play from fans, media, snd his own organization. During today’s media session, Wentz said he had played poorly and wasted an opportunity.
Wentz dodged a lot of the questions about reports of leadership and locker room issues at his last two teams. He said he doesn't read the negative reports about himself, but admitted they are a strain on his family.
Wentz has spoken with Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner and says he is excited to get to work in Washington. He plans on working with his receivers soon, and is a big fan of Terry McLaurin. He is also excited to return to the NFC East, and to return to Philly to face the team that drafted him #2 overall in 2016.
LIVE: The newest Commander speaks to the media https://t.co/Sd1m3uUMsU
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 17, 2022
Ron Rivera
Intro:
Commanders QB Carson Wentz rocking the BURGUNDY and GOLD during is introductory press conference
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) March 17, 2022
(Ron Rivera says Happy Thanksgiving) @wusa9 #TakeCommand
More: https://t.co/A9GnIop3uZ pic.twitter.com/xMJDLyyjaz
Ron Rivera opened the Carson Wentz presser with "Happy Thanksgiving."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Amazing.
Believe in Carson Wentz:
Ron Rivera starts off the presser: This is a young man we really believe in
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 17, 2022
The trade:
Rivera said they looked at a number of options at quarterback and once they found out Wentz was available, they shifted toward that.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
. @RiverboatRonHC reaction to Carson Wentz #Commanders pic.twitter.com/KOiQVAgHhR
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Vertical attack:
More @RiverboatRonHC on Carson Wentz #Commanders @team980 @LOCommanders pic.twitter.com/Be6t4iIaCo
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Rivera said Wentz will allow Washington to run a more vertical attack, like how they used to run in Carolina and even San Diego.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Ron Rivera asked if he believes the trade for Wentz is "a solution" to Washington's QB turnover: “I believe it is. I believe it’s what we’re looking for. His skill set speaks very well for us, especially for what we want to do and how we want to attack our opponents.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Terry McLaurin:
Ron Rivera says adding Carson Wentz should enhance Terry McLaurin's situation with Washington.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 17, 2022
Views Wentz as the long-term hope at QB.
Drafting a QB:
Ron Rivera said the Wentz move wouldn’t preclude Washington from draft a quarterback, but made it clear Wentz is QB1. “I hope he’s here for a long time,” Rivera said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Leadership:
More @RiverboatRonHC on Carson Wentz leadership & character inside building. #Commanders @team980 @LOCommanders pic.twitter.com/fMblx6TDEY
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Ron Rivera, on if there was any trepidation on trading for Wentz given how things ended for him in Philadelphia and Indianapolis: pic.twitter.com/udDslpK4DH
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Plans changed:
.@RiverboatRonHC on how the Carson Wentz trade absolutely changed their plans on the roster. @team980 @LOCommanders pic.twitter.com/y6mqKHidT8
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Wentz contract:
One of the more polarizing parts of the Wentz trade was his contract, so I asked Ron Rivera if the team tried to have Indy eat some of the money on the deal: pic.twitter.com/TcK76202W4
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Ron Rivera said revising Carson Wentz's deal (restructure, extension, etc.) is a consideration:
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
“That’s something we’re going to start talking about because as we go forward, we’ve got a couple of our own guys we want to take care of and get them on long-term deals as well."
Andrew Norwell:
Rivera on soon to be official new guard Andrew Norwell ..Good call on this other day @PeteMedhurst .. #Commanders pic.twitter.com/Wz7ihwcEif
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz
Snyders:
“First things first, I want to thank the Snyders for believing in me.” pic.twitter.com/2Gy9ZzugX2
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 17, 2022
Custom suit:
Believe it or not, Wentz already had this outfit before he joined the @Commanders pic.twitter.com/TZBhamptPV
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz on his Burgundy and Gold outfit: "I had the jacket. I didn't know it'd come in handy." His wife picked out the burgundy shirt.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Vision:
"I can see a clear vision of our hopes and dreams and where we want to go and for me that gives me chills, it gives me goose bumps." ️ pic.twitter.com/PT04cQ7Kmt
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz says he can feel the excitement from Washington after it traded for him: "I can see a vision. I can see a clear vision of hopes and dreams. ... It gives me chills."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Rivera referred to Wentz as QB1.
Last few weeks:
Wentz says the last few weeks have been a whirlwind but says his life since college really has been. “A lot of ups and downs along the way”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 17, 2022
New teammates:
Wentz said it's been a whirlwind over the past few weeks. It's exciting, he said, and it's an adventure. He's looking forward to meeting everyone, and he can already see from the people he has met that there is a like-mind of where the team wants to go
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 17, 2022
Earning respect:
Wentz said he wants to come in an earn the respect of the fan base and his teammates. He knows it's not going to be handed to him.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 17, 2022
Getting traded by the Colts:
Carson Wentz said he was "definitely surprised" by how things ended in Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/s2IoKjGNLV
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz calls the last couple weeks a "whirlwind." Says he was "definitely surprised" by the trade. "When you're in a new place you want it to work out. God willing it works out for a long time. It didn't."
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 17, 2022
Asked why he’s no longer with the Colts, Carson Wentz says “the way I finished was poor…I didn’t play well enough at the end there”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 17, 2022
.@davidaldridgedc: "Why are you not still in Indy?"
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz: "Sometimes I wonder the same, to be honest. I think it was a year that had highs and lows, ups and downs. But the way we finished, the way I finished, was horrible. It was horrible. It was tough to swallow."
3 teams in 3 years:
.@PeteHaileyNBCS asks Wentz about playing for his third team in three years.
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) March 17, 2022
"I try not to make it bigger than it needs to be. Just come in and play good football." pic.twitter.com/BMFEanTbR5
Washington’s offense/Scott Turner:
Wentz had a brief conversation with OC Scott Turner and he got "fired up." He likes the weapons that the Commanders have, and he's excited to work with them
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) March 17, 2022
Return to the NFC East:
Carson Wentz on his return to NFC East & when he goes back to play at #Eagles #Commanders pic.twitter.com/PLYdHczeTg
— Commander Chris (Russell) (@Russellmania621) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz said he's excited coming back to the NFC East: "Back to No. 11. It feels like home for me. ... I'll admit it'll be weird that first time going to the Linc. ... I embrace that."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 17, 2022
Carson Wentz says he’s excited to be back playing in the NFC East. “I admit it will be weird the first time going to The Linc, I’m sure I’ll hear a little bit of everything”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 17, 2022
Leadership:
Carson Wentz, on talk of his leadership: "Reports are report and there are truth in some things. But if we try to combat every report, we run out of things to say. I just try to be myself. ...I strongly feel I had amazing relationships with people in Philly and in Indy."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Criticism:
Wentz asked about Chris Ballard's comments at the combine, when Ballard said some of the criticism of Wentz may be fair.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Wentz: "Which criticism? There's a lot of things out there (smiles)."
Healthy:
"I feel healthy but at the same time, as you get older, you see the game differently. You have to pick and choose your battles."
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) March 17, 2022
Wentz talks about adjusting and evolving his game with age, playing smarter and mastering his craft. pic.twitter.com/7RbxpJhb6U
Carson Wentz: "I feel healthy. I feel great. But at the same time, as you get older, you see the game differently." ...
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
Said he feels he's still learning and evolving as a decision-maker on the field.
Terry McLaurin:
Commanders analyst @JPFinlayNBCS asks Wentz about building relationships with the offense.
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) March 17, 2022
"I told [Terry] 'I would love to throw the ball to you some day.' ... I was like this kid's different." pic.twitter.com/17Kx9XkkON
Wentz said after one game vs. Washington when Terry McLaurin was a rookie he told him, "I'd love to throw the ball to you someday."
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 17, 2022
Wentz was asked about players in Washington. Mentioned Terry McLaurin in particular. Recalled a time he played Washington and remembers McLaurin picking apart Philly's D on a deep slant.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 17, 2022
"I was like, 'This kid's different.' Never did I think it would've ended up like this."
Wide receivers:
Wentz says he will reach out right away to Commanders wide receivers to start working out and throwing
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 17, 2022
Chase Young:
"@youngchase907 reached out right away. I remember being chased around by him his rookie year ... now he's on my side" pic.twitter.com/iX4urGiJwm
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) March 17, 2022
Chase Young reached out to Carson Wentz right away after Wentz was traded to Washington. Ryan Fitzpatrick said the same thing last year
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) March 17, 2022
Wentz says he remembers Chase Young getting after him in 2020. Happy to not be chased by Young anymore
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 17, 2022
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