4 former Commanders players who’ll thrive on new teams in 2023

Taylor Heinicke – Former Commanders QB

It was a shame to see Taylor Heinicke‘s time with the Washington Commanders come to an end. The underdog story provided some memorable moments throughout his stint with the franchise, but with no guarantee of starting reps this offseason, a parting of ways was always a possibility.

The Commanders made Heinikce an offer to stay – one that the quarterback was seriously contemplating before the stars aligned. A chance for the player to join a team closer to home on pretty decent backup money with the Atlanta Falcons was something the signal-caller couldn’t turn down.

Heinicke signed a two-year, $14 million deal that included a $4 million signing bonus and $6.32 million guaranteed. More importantly, the once unheralded prospect will get the chance to compete with Desmond Ridder for the No. 1 spot throughout the upcoming preparation period.

While all signs point to Ridder getting a legitimate chance to start in 2023, the Falcons now have a contingency plan capable of stepping in at a moment’s notice. Something the Commanders also secured behind Sam Howell in the form of Jacoby Brissett.

This is an opportunity Heinicke is going to grasp with both hands. He takes nothing for granted, is a hard worker, and although the new arrival will assist Ridder in whatever way possible, he will quietly fancy his chances unless the Falcons make a daring trade for Lamar Jackson.