Commanders fans mostly won’t have to be reminded about the train of events last season. I’ll remind you anyway.
During a Week 16 game against the 49ers, the team was struggling and behind in the 2nd half. When Taylor Heinicke, who was 5-2-1 as a starter on the 2022 season, threw a 4th quarter interception, Ron Rivera benched him and brought in Carson Wentz to finish the game. Wentz, who had gone 2-4 as a starter to open the season, led Washington on a touchdown drive, and the 49ers won by 17.
The following week (Week 17), with the playoffs on the line, Ron Rivera kept Heinicke on the bench, and started Carson Wentz against the Browns.