Heinicke said his goal is to be "the best backup I can" behind fellow Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "They drafted [Ridder] high for a reason," Heinicke added Thursday afternoon.
What it means:
The catch is that Atlanta didn't draft Ridder all that early (74th overall), while Heinicke's two-year, $14 million contract ($6.32 million guaranteed) makes him one of the better-compensated backups in the league. The team was clear with Heinicke about Ridder being the starter, which figures to carry into Week 1, but that doesn't necessarily mean the second-year pro will have a lot of leeway if he struggles once the season starts. Heinicke's stats from Washington -- 64.0 completion rate, 7.0 YPA, 33:21 TD:INT, 12-11-1 record -- give him a strong argument to be viewed among the two or three best backup quarterbacks in the league.
The Falcons are expected to sign Heinicke to a two-year contract Tuesday, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
What it means:
Heinicke is expected to join a quarterback room currently led by second-year pro Desmond Ridder, putting him in a position to take up a veteran role. An Atlanta native who will turn 30 on Wednesday, Heinicke logged 24 regular-season starts with the Commanders over the past two seasons, including a 2021 campaign where he operated as the team's top signal-caller.
Taylor Heinicke on backup duty again Week 18 for Washington
What it means:
Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be the backup to rookie Sam Howell in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys, per head coach Ron Rivera.
Heinicke will remain on backup duty to close out the season, but it will be behind Howell instead of Carson Wentz. A previous report said Heinicke was expected to start and that Howell would be the backup. Howell, a fifth-round rookie, hasn't played in the regular season.
Among the 44 quarterbacks with at least 100 drop backs this season, Heinicke is 31st and Wentz is 32nd in Passing Net Expected Points per attempt (negative-0.02). Howell will have a tough task versus a Cowboys team that has the No. 5 pass defense and No. 3 overall defense in numberFire's season-long adjusted team rankings. Dallas is also allowing the seventh-fewest FanDuel points per game to the quarterback position this season.
Coach Ron Rivera relayed Wednesday that Sam Howell rather than Heinicke will start Sunday's season finale against the Cowboys, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
Previous reports suggested that Heinicke would draw the starting assignment, with Howell also in line to play. However, Rivera subsequently clarified that the 2022 fifth-rounder will take the first snap for the team Sunday. At 7-8-1, the Commanders have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Taylor Heinicke expected to start Week 18 for Commanders
What it means:
Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke is expected to start Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Carson Wentz returned to the starting role for some reason last week, but Heinicke will take back over for the final game of the Commanders' season. According to Fowler, fifth-round rookie Sam Howell is also expected to play for the first time, setting up a quarterback rotation against a tough Cowboys defense.
The Cowboys have the No. 5 pass defense and No. 3 overall defense in numberFire's season-long adjusted team rankings. Dallas is also allowing the seventh-fewest FanDuel points per game to the quarterback position this season.
Heinicke is expected to be named the Commanders' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
With Carson Wentz flopping in his return to the starting role in last week's 24-10 loss to the Browns, head coach Ron Rivera looks set to turn the offense back over to Heinicke with little on the line in the season finale for the 7-8-1 Commanders, who have been eliminated from playoff contention. Over his nine starts this season prior to being benched Week 17, Heinicke guided Washington a 5-3-1 record while completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 1,859 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 96 yards and another score on the ground. According to Fowler, Washington plans to get a look at rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell at some point during Sunday's game, so Heinicke doesn't look as though he'll be in line to play the full 60 minutes. Meanwhile, Wentz appears likely to be inactive for the contest as Washington's No. 3 quarterback.
