Commanders QB Carson Wentz bouncing back from early training camp adversity

It’s no secret that Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz endured a rough start to training camp. Thus far, Wentz’s most glaring misfires have come in the form of airmails (overthrows), but he was also said to have skipped passes off the ground and hit the back of players jerseys.

In short, Wentz has really struggled with his accuracy.

Even if non-team drills, which should amount to a pitch and catch, Wentz has made life difficult for his pass-catchers. While some of that can be attributed to learning a new system and how to play with new weapons, a quarterback of Wentz’s caliber, experience and price tag ($28 million this season) has to be better.

It seemed as though Wentz turned the corner during Saturday’s practice at FedEx Field. Pretty good timing given the fan attendance. While his completion percentage was lacking, Wentz made several impressive throws and looked more confident in his delivery.

That was a real sight for sore eyes, and Wentz has piggybacked off that encouraging showing with maybe his best two practices of camp this week.

Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz rebounding from early training camp struggles

On Tuesday, Wentz began practice with three-straight completions in tight coverage; one to Jahan Dotson, Dax Milne and Terry McLaurin, respectively. The throw to Milne was especially impressive, as Wentz managed to fit it over Danny Johnson and in front of the lurking Darrick Forrest.

Part of the reason Washington trade for Wentz was his ability to complete these tight-window passes. In the ensuing 7-on-7, Wetz went 3-for-3 before he connected with Dotson on a pretty throw over the shoulder in 11-on-11s.

It it feels like Wentz and Terry McLaurin’s chemistry is beginning to show signs of life (or consistency), you’d be correct. The signs were promising Tuesday and continued into Wednesday’s non-padded session, where the new QB-WR duo linked up for a deep completion against the first-string defense in team drills.

Later during red zone drills, Wentz hit McLaurin on slant route for a touchdown before he located Dyami Brown in the back of the end zone.

These are admittedly baby steps, but Wentz was always expected to experience growing pains in terms of developing chemistry with his receivers. Perhaps the timing being a smidge off contributed to Wentz’s poor accuracy early on, but there’s no denying the QB has played with more authority this week.

This isn’t to say Wentz won’t endure more hiccups — they could come as early as the preseason opener on Saturday — but it’s an encouraging sign for the Commanders that the 29-year-old has rebounded from his early camp adversity.