A return to Washington isn’t in the cards after all for quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Heinicke is expected to sign with the Atlanta Falcons, his hometown team. The Commanders reportedly were interested in keeping Heinicke.
Heinicke signed with Washington in December 2020 as an emergency quarterback during the COVID-19 pandemic. He entered a game in relief of Dwayne Haskins late that season. However, it was the start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round in January that would make Heinicke a legend in Washington.
The #Falcons are signing former #Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke, per me and @MikeGarafolo. With plenty of starting experience, Atlanta adds a veteran to their QB room.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
Heinicke started the game against the eventual Super Bowl champions, almost leading Washington to an upset. Because of that performance, he earned a two-year contract extension.
In 2021, Washington signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to start. Fitzpatrick didn’t even make it through the first half of Week 1 before an injury sidelined him for the season, paving the way for Heinicke. Heinicke started the rest of the season, except for a game he missed because of COVID-19, playing well at times but often showing his limitations in extended action.
A similar storyline played out in 2022. Washington traded for Carson Wentz; he was injured in Week 6, leading to Heinicke’s insertion into the lineup. Heinicke came in and immediately helped lead the Commanders toward a playoff spot, but he and the offense faltered down the stretch. Head coach Ron Rivera benched Heinicke in the Week 16 loss to San Francisco, returning to Wentz for Week 17, which proved to be a disaster.
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