Where is Taylor Heinicke ranked among the NFL's top backup quarterbacks?
One year ago at this time, Taylor Heinicke was working to finish his degree at Old Dominion University. Heinicke had spent the early part of 2020 in the XFL on the St. Louis BattleHawks roster and was almost ready to turn the page on his football career. However, Heinickes life changed dramatically on Dec. 8, when the Washington Football Team signed Heinicke to the practice squad. Washington lost Kyle Allen earlier in the season, and Alex Smith was battling a lower leg injury, meaning head coach Ron Rivera needed to get another quarterback on the roster. Heinicke was promoted to the active roster on Dec. 19 and would eventually start Washingtons wild-card game against eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. The journeyman quarterback was so good in that game, he almost led Washington to the upset, but Tom Brady and the Buccaneers were just too much. That didnt stop Washington from signing Heinicke to a new two-year contract in February. In March, the Football Team released Smith and signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year contract. While Fitzpatrick is expected to start in 2021, Rivera made it clear Heinicke will compete against him in training camp. If Fitzpatrick starts for the WFT in 2021, that would mean Washington has a pretty good backup in Heinicke. Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently ranked all 32 backup QBs in the NFL, and he had Heinicke at No. 19. Hes got fight and athleticism, as displayed in an emergency postseason start for Alex Smith in 2020. Hes also only started one other game in his career, so dont get carried away. Flashes in Minnesota and Carolina suggest hes got talent to stick, though. This is correct. Heinicke was outstanding in the playoff loss to Tampa Bay, giving Washington its best quarterback play all season in the loss. However, it was just one game, and fans may be getting too carried away with Heinicke right now. But, he does have talent; hes smart, scrappy, athletic and accurate. He also knows the offense well. Heinicke also bulked up 15 pounds this offseason to better take the pounding of playing quarterback in the NFL. If Heinicke is forced into action for Washington, theres no doubt Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner feel comfortable with him under center.