The Washington Commanders made another switch at quarterback in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, with Carson Wentz replacing Taylor Heinicke at center in the fourth quarter. At 30-14, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera felt a change was needed, and Wentz received his first snap since Week 6 on October 13.
And it didn’t take long for the move to pay its dividends as Wentz hooked up with Curtis Samuel on a 20-yard score to close out a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
Heinicke had 13 of 18 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and one interception before he was benched. The Commander turned the ball over on back-to-back possession before the switch, Heinicke was hit from behind, fumbled on one drive, and threw an interception on the next. This two turnovers gave him six points from San Francisco.
Rivera earlier this week A quarterback switch could be coming.
Via Richmond.com, Rivera said, “I think the biggest thing is to stick with what Taylor and we are trying to establish.” Clearly there.
“Frankly, it’s something you have to think about at some point. But if you can get back on track and play the way you’ve always played and keep doing what you’ve been doing,” then we’re where we are now. Stick to ”
Heinicke entered Week 16 with a 5-2-1 record as a starter. Wentz has 2 wins and 4 losses.