On Sunday, NFL teams began cutting down their rosters, and some former Washington Commanders were in the news.
The most notable “former Commanders” news was, without question, the actions by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings determined they were not going to keep quarterback Sam Howell and found a taker in the NFC East division rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings then traded Howell to the Eagles, and in a bigger surprise, the Vikings then signed inactive free agent quarterback Carson Wentz.
Just two years ago, Ron Rivera was so excited about Howell, telling the media he was the QB1 that the Commanders had not previously had in the division. Meanwhile, Wentz had not found a team to take him in this past offseason. Yet, with no training camp, the Vikings are choosing to go with Wentz over Howell as a backup to starter J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy is in his second season; however, he tore up a knee in his rookie preseason. Thus, this is McCarthy’s first season to see actual regular-season NFL action. Determining to cut bait with Howell and start over with Wentz, signing him at this late date, suggests the Vikings believe Wentz can offer more assistance to McCarthy in quarterback meetings and on the sidelines during games. The Vikings also have quarterback Max Brosmer on their current roster, a rookie from the University of Minnesota.
Jamin Davis was again released, this time by the New York Jets. There had been reports of Davis performing so well for the Jets, but they turned out to be more hype than reality, as the Jets determined not to make Davis part of their 53.
All of this to say, the personnel moves of Ron Rivera were again brought back into the memory of Commanders fans. Rivera unwisely broadcast to the rest of the NFL that the Commanders were going to be buyers for a quarterback. Consequently, the Colts maneuvered Rivera into swapping the Commanders’ higher second-round pick and third-round pick to the Colts. Then Rivera turned around and selected defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with the No. 47 overall selection. Mathis never produced enough to warrant such a reach and was released by the Dan Quinn/Adam Peters administration in 2024. Mathis was released last week, also by the New York Jets.
Washington did not want Wentz after a sole season (2022), and subsequently lasted only one season with the Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs in 2024. Now, in 2025, he will be a Minnesota Viking.
Sam Howell? Well, in the 2022 NFL draft, the Commanders and Rivera traded draft choices No. 120 and No. 189 to the Panthers for picks No. 144 and No. 149. Rivera then drafted Sam Howell (144) and Cole Turner (149). In three seasons, Turner has only 13 receptions and may not survive Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline in Washington. Howell did not survive Adam Peters’ first offseason being traded to Seattle. The Seahawks, following one season, sent Howell to the Vikings. The Vikings kept Howell only for one training camp, and on Sunday, the former Commander was sent to the Vikings.
Ron Rivera’s drafts and personnel moves have a life all of their own, don’t they?
#Commanders #QBs #Sam #Howell #Carson #Wentz #find #homes