5 veteran quarterbacks the Commanders could pursue in 2023
By Sam Murray
Commanders could re-sign Taylor Heinicke
Taylor Heinicke is a fan and locker-room favorite, for good reason. He’s had some great moments during his two-plus seasons with the Washington Commanders and everyone loves an underdog story.
His moxie and knowledge of the game make him a high-end NFL backup. Heinicke’s familiarity with Sam Howell and the rest of the team already puts him ahead of the curve if the new offensive staff decides to retain him for another season or two.
Heinicke brings a magic that you can’t really quantify and has shown to be at his best in relief situations. His pylon dives and exuberant passion for the game have made him nothing short of a cult hero in Washington and even garnered the now infamous HEI-NUH-KEEE chants from the crowds at FedEx Field.
Not many people thought the guy who was an XFL backup in 2020 would have the success that Heinicke has been able to achieve after joining the Commanders as their emergency COVID quarterback partway through the 2020 season. His story is truly incredible, and one that won’t soon be forgotten, especially in the Nation’s Capital.
On the flip side of the coin, Heinicke would be without his biggest advocate Scott Turner for the first time in his NFL career. Some may be concerned about a quarterback controversy if Howell is to slip up at some point, but the veteran has shown to be more than a good teammate in tumultuous situations.
He wants to start but is very in tune with his role as a backup if that’s where the road leads.
All in all, Ron Rivera, Eric Bieniemy, and the rest of the staff in Washington may want to go in a different direction. But they could have the answer in the building already.