Did the Washington Football Team just invest in its future starting quarterback?
Washington signed Taylor Heinicke to a two-year extension reportedly worth $8.75 million on Wednesday.
That's a white flag on free agency or trading for a marquee passer like Houston's Deshaun Watson. It doesn't prevent drafting a passer, though.
Heinicke became a Washington legend with a great playoff effort in losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. The 27-year-old with barely an NFL resume turned one game into a lifetime of financial security. Imagine how much the deal would be worth if Washington won?
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Washington officials have obviously gauged the market and decided Heinicke has a real chance to start next fall, so they retained him. That wasn't surprising. It's just a two-year deal worth $2 million with incentives seemed more likely if he was a backup. It's not like Washington was facing multiple rivals as an exclusive free agent.
Now $8.75 million over two years is still cheap for a starter overall, but it's far more than expected so Washington is doubling down on Heinicke. Comparatively, Washington only needs to offer $850,000 to keep quarterback Kyle Allen before free agency begins on March 17.
This move also means Alex Smith is likely gone. The team isn't paying Heinicke big money when it needn't do so if Smith's returning for $18.75 million. Smith's deal isn't guaranteed, but his departure will cost Washington $24.4 million against the salary cap. Translation – ouch.
Still, this summer promises another quarterback competition after four passers started last season. Allen was decent in his four starts before being injured, but Heinicke is the new fan favorite. Not that coach Ron Rivera cares about polls, but until playing poorly the public is backing Heinicke over Allen.
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There is nothing – and I mean nothing – more popular in this town than a young, promising quarterback. Politicians pray for such support. Young passers don't even need to ever really produce and people still eternally love them. Babe Laufenberg was "Mr. August" for his late preseason wins, but the 1983 sixth-rounder never played over two regular seasons. Yet, people loved him.
Same went for Colt Brennan, a 2008 sixth-rounder whose two touchdowns in his preseason debut and summer of stats as the NFL's leading rookie passer led to nothing. He didn't play that season, was on injured reserve in 2009 and released in 2010, months before a car accident essentially ended his career.
But Heinicke's success came in the postseason. No matter what happens this fall, Heinicke will always be beloved in Washington. Maybe he's the next long shot story to succeed like Kurt Warner, rising from grocery store bag boy to Super Bowl champion. Maybe he's a bust. Either way, Heinicke got paid and fans have a great tale to retell.
And maybe, Washington has a starting quarterback this fall.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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