Former Washington Commanders quarterback Alex Smith was shocked over comments head coach Ron Rivera made this week, arguing that Carson Wentz isn’t completely to blame for the team’s struggles this season.
During ESPN’s broadcast of the Kansas City Chiefs – Las Vegas Raiders game Monday night, Smith was asked about Rivera’s remark that the reason the Commanders aren’t playing at the level of their NFC East opponents is because of the quarterback position.
Carson Wentz from the Washington Commanders talks to Ron Rivera, the head coach, during halftime against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field in Landover (Md.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
“I’m not going to lie, I had a really hard time watching that. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it,” Smith said on the broadcast.
“I’m not here to defend Carson Wentz.His career has been turbulent with ups, downs. He is now a defensive coach who is driving the bus more than his quarterback.
RON RIVERA ON WHY COMMANDERS HAVE FALLEN BEHIND IN NFC EAST: ‘QUARTERBACK’
Rivera’s full remarks dove into this being Wentz’s first season in WashingtonComparatively to the other teams where their quarterbacks have been playing in their respective system for some time.
“The truth is that this is a quarterback-driven league, and if you look at the teams that have been able to sustain success, they’ve been able to build it around a specific quarterback,” Rivera said Monday.
Carson Wentz (11) throws the ball at the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter at FedEx Field in Landover (Md.) Oct. 9, 2022.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Smith pointed to Washington’s defensive struggles as a factor in its 1-4 record.
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Smith stated, “The blame must be spread around.” This is a team sport. It is the ultimate team sport, and how a head coach can stand up there in front of the media and usher one word, and it’s ‘quarterback.’”
During Tuesday’s appearance on “The Don Geronimo Show”, Rivera admittedIt all starts with him. But he also doubled down on Wentz’s need to adjust to Washington’s system.
After a throw against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field, Oct. 9, 2022 in Landover, Md., Carson Wentz from the Washington Commanders reacts.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
“My whole point being is that when you have a quarterback that’s been around and been in your building for a specific period of time, the players know the guy. They form a bond and a cohesiveness. We have a quarterback, he’s been here for his first season [in Washington]. He will continue to work with our guys, assimilate and learn from what we do, and I believe that we will become progressively better.
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Wentz addressed Rivera’s remarks on Tuesday, saying he met with the team and “handled it.” He said that he wasn’t “overly concerned” about what was being said.
