It took less than two games to turn quarterback Taylor Heinicke from a guy whose NFL career appeared to sign a multi-year contract.
The Washington Football Team announced on Wednesday that it had signed a two-year contract with Heinicke, worth up to $ 8.75 million, a source confirmed. Heinicke would have been a restricted free agent, but Washington made it clear that he wanted to keep him based on how he ended the season.
Washington still has Alex Smith under contract for two more years, although his future here remains uncertain. Kyle Allen is an exclusive rights-free agent that coaches like. The team also has Steven Montez, a free agent not hired last season.
Heinicke’s display put him in the conversation to at least be a primary backup and provide depth, if nothing else.
Heinicke was taking math classes at Old Dominion University, where he played high school, when Washington hired him for his training team on December 8. He was placed on the active list later that month and dismissed an ineffective Dwayne Haskins in a week 16 defeat to Carolina. In two series, he led a touchdown and had another scoring throw canceled by a penalty.
With Smith battling a bone bruise, Heinicke started Washington’s game against Tampa Bay and was effective. He completed 26 of 44 passes for 306 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also showed his mobility, fighting for an 8-yard touchdown race that ended with him diving for the pole.
Heinicke signed with Minnesota as a non-hired free agent in 2015, playing for current Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner. He was the only NFL coach who visited Heinicke before recruiting. After two seasons in Minnesota, he spent time on the training teams in New England and after Houston. He then signed with Carolina, coached by current Washington coach Ron Rivera.
Heinicke played six games with Carolina, starting one. In his only start, he completed 33 of 53 passes for 274 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. He suffered an elbow injury that left him in the injured reserve.
The NFL Network first reported the money on Heinicke’s contract.