It took less than two games to transform quarterback Taylor Heinicke from a man whose NFL career appeared to be about to sign a multi-year contract.
The Washington Football Team announced on Wednesday that it has signed Heinicke to a two-year deal worth up to $ 8.75 million, a source confirms. Heinicke would have been a limited free agent, but Washington had made it clear that it wanted to keep him based on how he finished the season.
Washington has Alex Smith under contract for two more years, although his future here remains uncertain. Kyle Allen is an exclusive rights-free agent appreciated by the coaches. The team also has Steven Montez, an undesigned free agent last season.
Heinicke’s performance got him into the conversation to at least be a primary backup and provide depth, if nothing else.
Heinicke was taking math lessons at Old Dominion University, where he played right away, when Washington signed him to the practice squad on December 8. He was placed on the active squad later that month, relieving an ineffective Dwayne Haskins in a Week 16 loss to Carolina. . In two runs, he led a touchdown drive and got another scoring pitch nullified by a penalty.
While Smith struggled with a bruise to the bone, Heinicke started Washington’s playoff game against Tampa Bay and was effective. He completed 26 of 44 passes for 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also showed his mobility, scrambling for an 8-yard touchdown run that ended diving to the pylon.
Heinicke signed with Minnesota in 2015 as an undrafted free agent and played for current offensive coordinator Scott Turner in Washington. He was the only NFL coach Heinicke visited before the draft. After two seasons with Minnesota, he spent time on the exhibition teams of New England and then Houston. He then signed with Carolina, coached by current Washington coach Ron Rivera.
Heinicke played six games with Carolina, one of which started. In his lone start, he completed 33 of 53 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He sustained an elbow injury that ended up on an injured reserve.
The NFL Network first reported the money on Heinicke’s contract.