Commanders

All about Washington QB Taylor Heinicke: Stats, contract info

/ by Matt Weyrich
Commanders
Taylor Heinicke dives for the pylon in Washington's loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card round

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke made his first start for the Washington Football Team in the 2020 NFC Wild Card round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His electric performance helped land him a two-year contract to stick around in D.C. and, after starter Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured Week 1, paved the way for him to be Washington's starting QB for most of 2021.

Here's a complete player profile on the Washington signal-caller.

Taylor Heinicke’s bio

  • Height: 6-foot-1  
  • Weight: 210 lbs 
  • Birthdate: March 15, 1993 in Atlanta, Ga.
  • College: Old Dominion University
  • NFL experience: 4 seasons (2017-18, 2020-21)
  • Jersey Number: No. 4

Taylor Heinicke’s career NFL stats

Through the 2021 season, here are Taylor Heinicke's complete NFL stats to date:

  • 24 games, 16 starts, 7-9 record
  • 571 attempts, 369 completions, 64.6 completion percentage
  • 3,886 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 18 interceptions
  • 69 rushes, 368 yards, 1 touchdown, 8 fumbles

Playoffs:

  • 1 game, 1 start, 0-1 record
  • 44 attempts, 26 completions, 59.1 completion percentage
  • 306 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
  • 6 rushes, 46 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 fumbles

Taylor Heinicke’s contract details with Washington

In February 2021, Heinicke signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract to forego restricted free agency. He inked the deal having appeared in just two games for Washington, making a relief appearance for the struggling Dwayne Haskins in Week 16 of the 2020 season before putting together an impressive playoff appearance against Tampa Bay.

Heinicke will be a free agent after the 2022 season when he will be 29 years old.

According to Spotrac, Heinicke's cap hit was $1,593,750 for 2021 and will be $2,750,000 in 2022. His contract also includes up to $4 million in incentives.

What college did Taylor Heinicke attend?

Taylor Heinicke played quarterback at Old Dominion University from 2011 to 2014.

After accepting the first D-I scholarship offer he received, Heinicke took just five games before coming off the bench and taking the Monarchs’ starting quarterback job for good. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native was at the helm for ODU’s final two years in the FCS before the program moved to the FBS level in 2013.

Heinicke finished his college career sporting ODU’s program records for passing yards (14,959), pass completions (1,338), touchdowns (132) and completion percentage (73.1%). He led the Monarchs to playoff wins in the FCS tournament as both a freshman and sophomore and then compiled a 14-10 record as a starter at the FBS level.

 

Did Taylor Heinicke catch the coronavirus?

Taylor Heinicke landed on the NFL's COVID/restricted list on Dec. 17, 2022, four days before the Washington Football Team's Week 15 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington experienced a significant COVID outbreak in its locker room that forced the team to place as many as 23 players at one time on the reserve list.

The game was pushed back from its regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon slot to Tuesday evening. Down both Heinicke and backup QB Kyle Allen due to COVID, Washington started free agent Garrett Gilbert under center against the Eagles. Philadelphia won handily, 27-17.

Washington activated Heinicke on Dec. 23 and he made his next start against the Dallas Cowboys three days later.