How Joe Gibbs, film study and analytics led the Commanders to Carson Wentz

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders’ quarterback search has lasted more than 30 years, interrupted by brief periods of solid play and the hope that maybe, just maybe, Quarterback X, would end the quest. It never happened.

The Commanders embarked on yet another search this offseason, which led them to Carson Wentz and another period of hope. The search included a meeting with former Washington coach Joe Gibbs, a deep dive on analytics, a film session at the NFL scouting combine and calls with Wentz’s former coaches.

Washington’s search was not like other years, because coach Ron Rivera liked his roster enough to give up salary-cap space and draft picks to find the right guy.

It was a more aggressive mindset than last offseason, when Washington made an offer to Detroit for Matthew Stafford, but could not afford to be as aggressive as the Los Angeles Rams. The Commanders considered trading up in the draft last year to select Justin Fields, but felt the price was too prohibitive.

But this offseason, Rivera made it clear to the NFL world that the Commanders were open for business. They mapped out a strategy and made a trade with the Colts — the teams swapped second-round picks in 2022 and Washington also gave up a third this year and a conditional third in 2023 — to get the No. 2 overall pick from the 2016 draft.

Wentz will be Washington’s 33rd starting quarterback since the franchise last won the Super Bowl after the 1991 season. Here’s how the Commanders landed him:

The Joe Gibbs meeting

Washington’s scouts studied the current group of college quarterbacks during the season. The Commanders knew, even when they went on a four-game winning streak, that quarterback would be an offseason priority. But with the No. 11 pick in the first round, and with questions about the quality of this class, the team focused on finding a veteran.

In January, Rivera flew to…