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Does Ron Rivera need to ride out the season with Taylor Heinicke?

The Commanders have won six of seven, becoming a run-oriented team.

There are good things Taylor Heinicke contributes to this team, and yet it is also true the passing offense at times is very average.

Logan Paulsen was asked by Al Galdi Wednesday, “Should Ron Rivera be open about going back to Carson Wentz this season if the passing offense continues to underwhelm? Or does Ron need to ride out the season with Taylor?”

“I think that is an excellent question, replied Paulsen. “I think what it really comes down to is I look at what Taylor does. Obviously, he is not going to have gaudy numbers. He is not going to throw for 300 yards. This team is a run-first team and rightfully so.”

“Taylor is able to elevate the offensive line. He knows where the football should go. What he brings, that is not the sexiest stuff, but it is elevating the offense.”

“Should Ron be thinking about going back to Wentz? Yes, I think at some point. Obviously now you want to ride the hot hand. Taylor is doing a lot of really nice things that is elevating him at the position and elevating the offense. ”

“But I mean you invested a lot of money, and a lot of draft capital in determining Carson was your guy moving forward. I want to know with a really high degree of certainty that this is not the move. Because I need to know if we need to be thinking about trading up in the draft this year. Do we need to make another move for another big free agent this offseason?”

“Those are data points I want to have answered as soon as I possibly can. You don’t get that if he (Carson) is not playing.”

“Carson was not immersed in the scheme for a long period of time. He only played six games. I don’t think we really got a good feel for his level of understanding this offense.”

“I do think this is a data point I want outlined and answered as soon as possible. But I don’t think he should start over Taylor in the foreseeable future, because of those little things Taylor is doing at a really high level.”

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