Tag: Taylor Heinicke

LANDOVER, Md. — Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke did more than help his team win Sunday. He also pocketed $125,000. And he’ll use that money to build on his collection of Jordan sneakers.

Heinicke receives a bonus every time he plays 60% of the offensive snaps in a Commanders victory, which he did Sunday in the 23-21 win over the Green Bay Packers. He’ll continue a tradition that began last season when he earned seven such bonuses.

“Every time we get the win, when I’m in the training room the next day I always buy myself a pair of [Jordans],” Heinicke said.

And the shoes’ color scheme always relates to the team they beat.

“Tomorrow I’ll probably buy myself green and yellow Js,” he said, referring to the Packers’ colors.

He can earn up to $1.5 million in bonus money for wins. That’s how much extra he earned last season in total bonuses, which was $500,000 more than his base salary. His base salary this year is $1.5 million.

Even bigger than adding to his shoe collection, Heinicke rallied Washington (3-4) to a needed win in relief of the injured Carson Wentz. Washington placed Wentz on injured reserve with a fractured right ring finger Saturday, meaning Heinicke will start at least three more games.

The Commanders have won two in a row, but remain two games behind Dallas for third place in the NFC East. Still, they’re only a half-game out of a wild-card spot heading into next week’s matchup at Indianapolis.

Heinicke struggled in the first half, completing seven of 17 passes for 39 yards with one touchdown and a pick-six. But he finished the game 20-of-33 for 201 yards and two touchdowns, delivering a perfect throw to receiver Terry McLaurin down the right sideline for a 37-yard score in the third quarter.

McLaurin said Heinicke’s on-field attitude is infectious.

“Taylor has a lot of energy,” McLaurin said. “You can tell he plays free-spirited and I think it’s a lot of what he has been through in his career. He plays like it’s his last game every time and that energy spreads throughout the team. You want to make that play to elevate him.”

Linebacker Cole Holcomb was more succinct.

“He’s a gamer,” Holcomb said. “He’s a tough, tough quarterback — a little undersized, but he has that dog in him.”

Indeed, Heinicke was an undrafted free agent in 2015 who was out of the league for nearly two years until Washington called him late in the 2020 season. He’s listed at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds and his play style captured fans’ attention and earned him not only respect from teammates but also a new contract in 2021 that rewards every win.

He has played for five NFL franchises and was a backup in the XFL in 2020.

“It’s an underdog mentality,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “He has a tremendous amount of faith in what he can do.”

But while Heinicke smiled big when asked about his bonus, there was a larger meaning to this win for him. He grew up a Packers fan, thanks to his late father, a Wisconsin native. Heinicke has talked often about watching the Packers win the Super Bowl in 2011 with his father, Brett, who died later that year.

So while Heinicke will have a new pair of shoes, he said he’ll also frame his jersey from this game.

“He’s up there right now drinking a beer, having a good time,” Heinicke said of his dad. “I know he’d be proud of me. This one’s for him.”

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke said he’s a different player than last season. Now he’ll get a chance to prove just how much.

When Heinicke starts against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, he’ll be able to draw upon his 2021 experience, when he started 15 games for the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now he’ll start for Carson Wentz, who fractured his right ring finger.

“I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident,” Heinicke said. “I was a little overwhelmed last year; it was my first time starting 15 games and it gets to you a little bit.”

It’s still unclear how long Wentz will miss. He remained in Los Angeles this week to rehab his finger after having surgery Monday night. The Commanders hope to know Friday whether or not he’ll need to be placed on injured reserve, which means he’d miss at least four games.

Until Wentz returns, Heinicke will start. His first one comes against the team he grew up cheering for thanks to his father’s Wisconsin roots. Heinicke said one of his last memories with his late father involved them watching Green Bay’s Super Bowl victory after the 2011 season. It made last year’s game at Lambeau Field special for Heinicke; it’ll provide more juice for this start as well.

“To go to Lambeau last year was super neat and to get that first start this year against Green Bay at home is going to be super cool,” Heinicke said.

Washington (2-4) has struggled at quarterback for decades and that hasn’t changed under coach Ron Rivera. This is the ninth time Washington has had to make an in-season quarterback change, whether because of ineffectiveness or injuries. It’s the third time Heinicke has come off the bench to start.

The hope for Washington is that Heinicke can spark an offense that has struggled the last four games. After scoring a combined 55 points the first two games, the Commanders managed just 47 in the next four. Wentz was under duress because of pass protection issues; he also was still adjusting to a new offense.

But Heinicke’s mobility could at least help. He rushed for 313 yards last season, including 95 in a 24-10 loss at Green Bay. Wentz has a stronger arm and more size, but was unable to extend plays this season. Wentz was sacked 23 times; Heinicke was sacked 38 times in 2021.

“His ability to extend plays is really big for us,” Washington receiver Terry McLaurin said. “The heart he plays with, a lot of guys galvanize behind that. You never know what you’ll get with Taylor and that’s the fun part of it.

“He’s a guy who you have confidence in his ability to make plays. It may not be the prettiest or what you’re used to every Sunday. … He’s playing like it’s backyard football, but playing within himself.”

Heinicke also said he’s noticed a difference in his arm strength. That had long been the knock on Heinicke, but he said after working with quarterback trainer Adam Dedeaux this past offseason, he has seen a change. They worked on using his hips more when he throws.

“The way he’s driving the ball down the field is better for us receivers,” McLaurin said, comparing his throws to last season.

Teammates have turned to him when they have questions about the offense, considering he’s played for Washington since December 2020; he spent one year in this system in Carolina and another one with Minnesota.

But a large appeal to Heinicke remains his popularity with other players. During the open locker room sessions for the media, Heinicke is often sitting at his locker chatting with teammates. Two years ago when he came off the bench to spark the offense, and lead a near upset of Tampa Bay in the playoffs, it energized teammates. Defensive end Chase Young would often point vigorously to Heinicke’s name on the back of his jersey.

“I always say he’s the coolest quarterback in the room with the most swag,” rookie receiver Jahan Dotson said.

Rivera understands that appeal.

“The guys rally around anybody that’s going to step up and compete and do the things that you need them to do,” Rivera said. “It’s kind of that underdog story.”