Should Commanders use Taylor Heinicke as trade chip for QB-needy teams?

The Washington Commanders have their quarterback in Carson Wentz and the hope, according to head coach and lead personnel decision-maker Ron Rivera, is that the former No. 2 overall pick will be the long-term solution in Ashburn.

Based on Wentz’s recent track record, that’s wishful thinking, as the Commanders mark his third team in as many seasons. In his last two stops, the Eagles and Colts seemingly couldn’t pull the plug on him soon enough.

Luckily for Wentz, Washington seems invested in his future.

In turn, that leaves fan favorite Taylor Heinicke on the outskirts in terms of playing time after he started 16 games last season. Believe it or not, Wentz, who struggled with injuries early in his career, hasn’t missed a game in three years.

With that in mind, plus the fact that Heinicke is one of the best backups in the league, would it be crazy if the Commanders considered trading the Old Dominion product to a team that lacks clarity at the QB position?

Should the Commanders consider trading Taylor Heinicke?

Of course, the Falcons have signed Marcus Mariota and the Saints have re-signed Jameis Winston, but JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington brings up a great point. If you take a look around the league, there at least three definitive teams — Carolina, Seattle and Houston — that could justify trading for Heinicke.

Getting beyond that, how many teams lack quality backups? Off the top of our heads, the Titans (Logan Woodside), Falcons (Feleipe Franks), Jaguars (CJ Beathard), Raiders (Garrett Gilbert), Rams (John Wolford), Lions (Tim Boyle/David Blough), Vikings (Kellen Mond), Chargers (Chase Daniel), Jets (Joe Flacco), Buccaneers (Blaine Gabbert/Kyle Trask) and Colts (Sam Ehlinger) could all use upgrades.

That’s almost half the league.

Of course, the obvious counterpoint is trading Heinicke would leave Washington without a backup, let alone a competent one. Former backup and third-stringer Kyle Allen signed with the Texans as a free agent and Washington released former Colorado star Steven Montez last offseason.

Heinicke’s all that’s left, so the Commanders would be wise to keep him in their quarterback plans for at least 2022. With that said, what if Washington drafted a QB with one of their first two picks this year? If whomever they nab is pro-ready at least in terms of being a backup, trading Heinicke would be justifiable.

Should the front office trade Heinicke without having the intention of drafting a quarterback, there’s still some quality backup options braving free agency, including Geno Smith, Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron and Trevor Siemian.

And if Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t retire, we’d be open to a potential reunion, so that’s something else to consider.

We’re just spit-balling here, obviously, and we highly doubt trading Heinicke is something Washington is considering, but it still makes for a fun conversation given the team’s possibility of drafting a QB and surplus of backups still available.