Ron Rivera on why the Commanders are last: 'Quarterback'

Commanders coach Ron Rivera didn't mince words when asked Monday why his team is last in the NFC East. As a matter of fact, he only needed one.

"Quarterback," Rivera said one day after Washington slid to 1-4 with a last-second loss to Tennessee.

He's of course referring to first-year Commanders QB Carson Wentz, who has been thoroughly outpaced by his divisional contemporaries since the season began. Jalen Hurts has the Eagles at 5-0 with an MVP-caliber start, and Daniel Jones and the Giants have surpassed early expectations and sit at 4-1. Cooper Rush and Dak Prescott have combined to get Dallas to 4-1 as well, putting Washington three games back of third place.

Wentz, meanwhile, has been mediocre at best. He ranks middle-of-the-pack in most efficiency-based categories, including 17th in passer rating at 86. (Seattle's Geno Smith leads the NFL with a 113.1 passer rating.) Wentz is fourth in passing yards (1,390) and tied for fifth in touchdowns (10), but he has the third-most interceptions (six) and three fumbles.

Part of the problem, Rivera said, is that the Commanders have had only a few months with Wentz. The division's other QBs are established with their teams. Rivera added that they're encouraged by glimpses Wentz has shown and that they "chose him because we believe in him."

In March, the Commanders acquired Wentz and a 2022 second-round pick from the Colts for a 2022 second-rounder, a 2022 third-rounder and a conditional 2023 pick. If he plays 70 percent of Washington's snaps this season, the 2023 pick will be a second-rounder; if not, it will be a third-rounder.

Wentz would need to play roughly 12 of Washington's 17 games to hit 70 percent. He has dealt with injury concerns in the past, but that's not the only potential roadblock standing between him and that mark. The Commanders have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the league, including backup Taylor Heinicke, who has impressed the team and could serve as a stabilizing force.

Washington also could bench Wentz for a look at rookie quarterback Sam Howell, a fifth-round round pick out of North Carolina. Many in the league are high on Howell, and the team will likely want to get a look at him before the season ends if Wentz continues to struggle.

In Week 6, the Commanders have a "Thursday Night Football" game against the Bears, so a change at QB is unlikely this week. But after that, they have 10 days to prepare for the Packers, which could allow them extra time to transition to a new quarterback.