Taylor Heinicke is set to make his first start of the season Sunday for the Atlanta Falcons, the latest stop in his journeyman professional career.
Where has Heinicke played during his six-year NFL career?
What Teams Has Taylor Heinicke Played For?
Heinicke was signed from the Houston Texans’ practice squad to their active roster late in the 2017 season and made his NFL debut in a brief Christmas Day appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He completed one pass for 10 yards and ran once for two yards in the 34-6 loss.
Heinicke continued working his way into the league in 2018 as he made six appearances for the Carolina Panthers, including one start. He went 33 of 53 for 274 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in a Week 15 loss to the Falcons before missing the final game of the season with an injury.
MORE: Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
Heinicke was competent in one appearance for the then-Washington Football Team in 2020, then made a career-high 15 starts for the franchise in 2021.
The veteran completed 321 of 494 pass attempts for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions as Washington went 7-8 in his starts. He made nine starts for the Commanders in 2022, completing 161 of 259 pass attempts for 1,859 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Heinicke Makes Atlanta Debut
Heinicke then joined his fourth NFL franchise this offseason when he signed a two-year deal worth up to $20 million with the Falcons.
The journeyman QB was behind starter Desmond Ridder for the first seven games of the season before taking over during a Week 8 loss to the Titans when the second-year quarterback was benched. He went 12 of 21 for 175 yards and one touchdown as the Falcons came up just short in a 28-23 loss.
Heinicke is now expected to start Atlanta’s Week 9 bout with the Minnesota Vikings as the Falcons look for more production at quarterback than Ridder could provide.
Ridder has gone 157 of 240 for 1,701 yards and six touchdowns through eight starts, but turnovers have been an issue, with six interceptions and seven fumbles thus far. He has also been sacked 25 times through those eight games, well above the nine sacks he took in four starts last season.
Henicke will now get his chance to lead the Falcons, which are tied for the NFC South lead with the New Orleans Saints and right in the thick of the playoff race at 4-4 entering Sunday.
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