Where would the Washington Commanders have been over the last two seasons without quarterback Taylor Heinicke? Expected to be the backup in both seasons, but injuries to the starters in each season led Heinicke to play much more than expected.
In 26 games with Washington, 24 as a starter, Heinicke has led the Commanders to a 12-11-1 record. Washington has won 15 games in the last two seasons. Six quarterbacks have started at least one game during that stretch, with the other five only picking up three victories. Carson Wentz has two of those victories, and Sam Howell has one.
Now, the Commanders could be Howell’s team moving forward. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed that Howell would enter the offseason as “QB1,” but he’d have to earn the job as it will not be given to him. Rivera has mentioned the Commanders will look to sign a veteran, perhaps even bringing Heinicke back to push Howell and serve as a mentor.
Heinicke was a guest Thursday on the “Pat McAfee Show” and discussed how he was supposed to have started in Week 17, but he had a talk with Rivera, encouraging him to give Howell a chance since the game meant nothing.
“We’ve seen Sam do what he can do during practice and through training camp,” Heinicke said Thursday of The Pat McAfee Show. “That dude’s a dawg; that dude can ball. Let’s see what he’s got. Obviously, y’all drafted him for a reason.”
Heinicke believes Howell will accomplish big things.
“I’m very excited for him. He’s got a bright future ahead of him if he keeps working hard,” Heinicke said. “So, hopefully, he can keep doing it.
McAfee chimed in: “He’s a player, huh?”
Yeah, oh yeah,” Heinicke answered. “All the guys in the locker room believe in him, too.”
"Sam Howell is a DAWG and he has a very bright future ahead of him"
Taylor Heinicke #PMSinAZ pic.twitter.com/xZJyPmTbwV
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 9, 2023
If anyone has the pulse of the locker room, it’s Heinicke. Howell carries some of the same swagger and moxie that makes Heinicke such a charismatic presence in Washington’s locker room.
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Howell. Sure, he’s proven nothing, but Heinicke has no reason to pump Howell up. He believes in him, making him the perfect mentor/backup.
