2. Taylor Heinicke
Washington tried to replace Heinicke with Carson Wentz last offseason, and that went about as expected for those who have never felt Wentz is that good a quarterback. Heinicke wound up starting nine games around Wentz’s missed time due to an injury, before Sam Howell started Week 18.
The Commanders haven’t shut the door on re-signing Heinicke, however expected that sentiment is without fully knowing all their options. But as things stand right now, failing a bolder move this offseason, they’re preparing to have second-year man Howell as their starting quarterback next season.
Heinicke also may not want to come back to Washington, as long as he finds a market for his services elsewhere. In a broad sense, he shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new team. And failing being a starter, which is unlikely to happen as he enters free agency, he openly acknowledged how nice a gig being a backup quarterback can be.
"Obviously I wanna be a starter next year but being a backup QB in the NFL is probably one of the best jobs in America"
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 9, 2023
Taylor Heinicke #PMSinAZ pic.twitter.com/kYLBQ42xph
If he’s thrust into the starting job, Heinicke is the kind of quarterback a team will always be trying to replace with a better option. His career highlight may always be playing well against Tom Brady and the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in a Wild Card Game.
But as options to backup Jared Goff go, the Lions should have Heinicke prominently on their radar.