Taylor Heinicke is set to make his first start of the season Sunday in the Atlanta Falcons‘ clash with the Minnesota Vikings. The journeyman quarterback stepped in for Desmond Ridder last week in a narrow loss to the Tennessee Titans and will look to help continue Atlanta’s pattern of winning immediately after its last two losses.
Who is Heinicke, and how did he reach this point?
Taylor Heinicke’s Journeyman NFL Career
Heinicke has bounced around plenty during his now six-year professional career.
His career began with one brief appearance for the Houston Texans in 2017 before he made his first career start and six total appearances in 2018 for the Carolina Panthers. He then headed to Washington in 2020 and made just one appearance before bursting onto the scene the next season.
Heinicke made 16 appearances, including 15 starts, for Washington in 2021. He completed 321 of 494 pass attempts for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, while also running for 313 yards and one touchdown 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 before being benched late in the season.
Heinicke’s Early Success in 2023
All of that led Heinicke to Atlanta back in March when he signed a two-year, $14 million deal to be the Falcons’ backup quarterback behind Ridder.
Heinicke made his first appearance of the season in last week’s 28-23 loss to the Titans when he came in for the benched Ridder. Heinicke completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown to pull the Falcons within one score late in the defeat.
Now, Heinicke is set to make his first start of the season for Atlanta on Sunday as the franchise looks for better production from the position than Ridder has been able to provide.
MORE: Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
Turnovers have been an issue for Ridder this season, going 157-of-240 for 1,701 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, taking 25 sacks and also losing seven fumbles through eight starts.
The Falcons hope Heinicke can give them a better chance to win this week and improve from their 4-4 start.
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