Taylor Heinicke has called the Washington, D.C. home for the last three seasons. He earned a backup job with the Washington Football Team in 2020 and made the most of all the opportunities that he was presented.
He made his first career start in that season’s playoffs, facing off against future Hall of Famer Tom Brady the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2021, Taylor Heinicke was thrust into the starting role after Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured in Week 1 and he ended up starting 15 games.
The team went 7-8 during that stretch, which was enough for him to stick around another season. While Heinicke wasn’t the starter heading into 2022 for the Washington Commanders, he ended up playing half of the season in relief of Carson Wentz. He found some success again, going 5-3-1 and keeping Washington in playoff contention.
But, with the team ready to hand the reins of the offense over to Sam Howell in 2023, Taylor Heinicke will explore his options in free agency. He won’t be the most sought-after option, but he has proven to be an elite backup capable of keeping a team afloat when his number is called.
Once the dust settles when it comes to veterans such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo, it will be easier to pinpoint where Taylor Heinicke could end up. But, if it were up to him, he would play with the Green Bay Packers.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show earlier this month, Taylor Heinicke spoke candidly about how he would like to be a starter, but backup quarterback is probably one of the best jobs in America. He also revealed that playing for the team he grew up rooting for.
“Obviously, I would love to go to the Packers,” Heinicke said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “That’s been a childhood dream of mine, to play for the Packers.
Depending on what happens with Rodgers, the Packers could be a realistic landing spot for Taylor Heinicke. If Rodgers is traded, they will certainly go with Jordan Love as their starter. But, having a capable backup behind him should things go awry would be a must and Taylor Heinicke would fill that role perfectly.
