Washington’s win streak has helped Taylor Heinicke earn insane contract incentive

What better way to erase a four-game skid than to follow it up with a four-game game winning streak? That’s exactly what the Washington Football Team has done coming out of the bye, and they now control their playoff destiny.

A huge reason for the turnaround has been the defense, which has now surrendered fewer than 20 points in four of the last five games. The lone exception was Week 11, when they allowed the Panthers to score 21 points.

However, it’s hard not to point to the play of Taylor Heinicke as the main catalyst behind Washington’s unexpected surge.

Though he had an off night from an accuracy standpoint, Heinicke authored his fourth game-winning drive of the year against the Raiders, giving him more than Tom Brady (three), Patrick Mahomes (two) and Aaron Rodgers (two).

Not only has Heinicke’s newfound success helped Washington climb into the playoff race, but it’s also helped bolster his bank account.

For each win Heinicke plays at least 60% of the snaps, he earns a $125,000 incentive, meaning he’s earned $500k over the last month!

Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke has made $500k during the squad’s four-game win streak.

You really do love to see it!

Heinicke signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the franchise back in February. According to Spotrac, his $2.375 million salary ranks 45th amongst quarterbacks. For context, the likes of Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan will make a combined $96.5 million this year. Each of them are below .500.

Heinicke’s contract looks like even more of a bargain when you get into the bottom half of the salary rankings. That group includes the likes of TAYSOM HILL ($10 mil), Trevor Lawrence ($9.2 mil), Baker Mayfield ($8.2 mil), Nick Foles ($8 mil) and Trey Lance ($8.5 mil), who’s atboardroom.tv/nfl-backup-qb-salariestempted 48 passes this season.

Sure, Washington re-signed Heinicke thinking he was going to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he’s already proven to be a high-end backup, if not a viable starter, in this league.

To put some added perspective on how little Heinicke is earning compared to his peers, he’s currently lagging behind Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, Tyrod Taylor, Jacoby Brissett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota Jordan Love, Tim Boyle and CJ Beathard.

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1467646745710628869

Even rival fans would admit that Heinicke is outperforming every quarterback we just listed, with maybe Mac Jones being the lone exception. Some of those players haven’t even seen the field this season!

Heinicke, meanwhile, has posted four straight games with a completion percentage of 70% or better, the longest streak in the NFL, and has tallied the second-most game-winning drives of any QB this season.

More importantly, Heinicke has helped Washington jump up to the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture. Should the team make it that far, Heinicke’s contract includes a $250k incentive for every playoff win.

All in all Heinicke has cashed an extra $750,000 starting for Washington. And you know what? Every last penny has been fully-deserved.