After the NFL season concluded, the Washington Football Team extended Taylor Heinicke. The deal originally appeared like a large sum for someone with 121 career attempts. However, upon further review, his contract seems just right for both parties. But could Heinicke have a long-term future with the Washington Football Team?
Heinicke has the “it” factor
Please do not read that and get the idea he’s a franchise-altering quarterback. That’s not the case. Still, his game against the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round showed what he could do when he has nothing to lose.
Heinicke possesses poise and toughness. He can also create outside of structure, which is a prerequisite for almost all modern NFL quarterbacks. Heinicke is not afraid to stand tall against pressure and take a shot. He’s also willing to sacrifice his body in high-leverage situations, like his stretch on the goal line during the playoff game. He even played through an AC joint sprain during the contest.
Nevertheless, that was the only game he started for the Football Team in 2020, and there was nothing to lose. It’s unknown whether his performance in the postseason was a sign of improvement or simply great timing.
His contract wasn’t as expensive as it originally seemed
Heinicke signed a two-year, $4.75 million extension in the offseason. Although he’s only thrown a handful of passes for Washington, he’s been around the Football Team’s coaching staff in Carolina and Washington. The original $8.75 million figure was based on incentives. As a result, many believed the team overpaid him.
That was not the case. Altogether, Heinicke accounts for less than $3 million against the cap in both 2021 and 2022. His dead cap hit is negligible. Even for a backup, that deal is worth the price of admission. If he ends up playing serviceable as a starter, that contract is highway robbery.
Does Taylor Heinicke have the physical tools to last?
He’s certainly athletic enough. On top of the 300+ passing yards he put up against the Buccaneers, Heinicke rushed for another 46, including a touchdown. He is a bit of a magician in the pocket. He has backyard football footwork and evasion tactics that worked multiple times in the Wild Card bout.
But quarterback play is about much more than athleticism. In particular, we’ve seen a wave of big-armed quarterbacks in recent years. That is something Heinicke certainly does not possess. In fact, his arm strength teeters on the border of adequate. This is particularly apparent when he’s forced to drive passes to the intermediate parts of the field outside of the numbers.
It also happens when he’s attacking the seam. Although he’s shown flashes of attacking the hashes, his passes occasionally leave his hand nose-up, which causes a floating effect and potential interception opportunities. At the minimum, he’s thrown a few “hospital balls” to Cam Sims and Logan Thomas.
Taylor Heinicke’s long-term future in Washington
Heinicke’s reckless abandon is admirable in relief of the team’s primary starter. As Washington’s starting quarterback, that willingness to get hit is a massive detriment, especially considering his injury history.
Heinicke has more career injuries in the NFL than he does starts. He suffered from a severe cut to his ankle in August 2016 after attempting to break into his own home. In 2017, he endured a concussion on a sack after throwing 1 pass for the Houston Texans. In 2019, Heinicke had surgery on his throwing elbow. His AC joint injury last year was just the latest in a rash of injuries throughout his career.
He’s too unproven to be convicted about his future potential. However, he continues to find his way to Scott Turner and Ron Rivera. His athleticism adds a layer to the offense, and his toughness can help elevate those around him in short spurts.
Heinicke might be the long-term option as Washington’s backup, but he’ll have to get a lot more work when the lights are bright to feel confident in his ability.
