Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders HC Ron Rivera clarifies perceived jab at QB Carson Wentz

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/11/22

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera appeared on the D.C.-based "Dan Geronimo Show" Tuesday morning to attempt to clarify his recent comments regarding his team's struggles this season.

On Monday, Rivera was asked why the Commanders (1-4) were in last place in the NFC East, to which he responded "quarterbacks."

The response was heavily perceived as not only praise of Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, and Dallas Cowboys replacement quarterback Cooper Rush, but also a possible dig at Washington's newcomer, Carson Wentz. Rivera said Tuesday that that was certainly not the case.

Rivera: “I didn’t backtrack, Don. What I tried to do was I tried to finish the explanation for certain media types that wanted to have their own say in it.”

(Note: Rivera was not cut off mid-sentence. He was asked 4 additional clarifying questions on the matter.)

Continuing... pic.twitter.com/JtfnJKDocq
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 11, 2022

Jones has been with the Giants since being selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Hurts was taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Eagles and Rush has spent his entire six-year career with the Cowboys after going undrafted in 2017.

Wentz was acquired from the Colts in March -- along with a 2022 second-round pick -- in exchange for a 2022 second-rounder, a 2022 third-rounder, and a conditional 2023 pick. If he plays 70 percent of Washington's snaps this season, the 2023 pick will be a second-rounder; if not, it will be a third-rounder.

The 29-year-old Wentz has suited up in all five games this season for the Commanders but has been largely inconsistent. Overall, he has posted a 62.9% completion percentage for 1,390 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 17 carries for 77 yards.

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