Taylor Heinicke will make his 15th start at quarterback for the Washington Football Team in Sunday’s season finale against the New York Giants. It’s been debatable if Heinicke has shown enough to be Washington’s QB1 in 2022.
Quarterback appears to be at the top of Washington’s list of needs. It remains to be seen if they draft a long-term answer, find a veteran on the trade market or one in free agency.
Whichever direction head coach Ron Rivera and the front office decide to go, Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner says Heinicke will be a factor in the quarterback equation next season.
“I think Taylor’s definitely going to be a factor,” Turner said per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “If we do bring a guy in …. and however that happens, Taylor’s going to be here and I know what his makeup is and he’s going to be ready to compete.”
Heinicke joined Washington in December 2020 as the quarantine quarterback during the pandemic. The benching of Dwayne Haskins and injury to Alex Smith thrust Heinicke into starting in Washington’s playoff game against the eventual Super Bowl champion, Tampa Bay Buccaneers that led to surprising solid outing.
This season he was once again thrust into the starting role after a season-ending hip injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 1. Heinicke has had his share of ups and downs throughout the season.
His strengths to extend plays with his legs and sheer determination has wowed fans and his coaching staff. But his weaknesses such as below-average decision-making and a lack of arm strength are glaring.
Still, Washington coaching staff believes Heinicke gives the team the best chance to win over Kyle Allen.
Heinicke enters Sunday’s game against the Giants with 3,299 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. All are career highs in his journeyman career. He has completed 65.5% of his passes, and compiled a 6-9 record as a starter.
There are still a lot of questions about Heinicke. But it appears that he has at least earned a chance to compete next season according to Turner no matter who Washington brings in during the offseason.
