The Washington Commanders will not be making a quarterback change at this time, head coach Ron Rivera said Monday.
Rivera confirmed during his media availability that Taylor Heinicke will remain Washington's starting quarterback ahead of Carson Wentz for Saturday’s game in San Francisco.
“I think the biggest thing more than anything else is sticking with Taylor and what we're trying to establish,” Rivera said.
“And it is something though that, obviously, is talked about out there,” he said of the QB situation. “It is something to be quite frank, I do have to think about at some point. But if we get back on track and play the way we've played and do the things we've done, then we'll stick with where we are. Until then, I will do that.”
Rivera said earlier he did not consider making a quarterback change at halftime of the Commanders’ 20-12 defeat Sunday to the New York Giants.
"My conversation with Taylor last night, it was, 'Hey look, we had some really good moments during this game, we did some really good things. But we’ve gotta build on it now, and we’ve gotta finish. And truthfully gotta finish in the red zone,’” he said.
“I think as long as I’m open with [Heinicke] and he understands where I’m coming from,” Rivera added, I think we both get the messaging.”
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The head coach added that he thought Heinicke “responded very well” after halftime with the offense continuing to “move the ball up and down the field.”
However, the quarterback’s first-half fumble that led to the Giants’ first touchdown was followed up with a fourth-quarter fumble that cost Washington a scoring opportunity in a five-point game.
“We have to be aware of our ball security, I mean, and that’s really what got us,” he said. “The first one he got blindsided, but the second one – down in the red zone – you’re looking to escape, you’ve got two hands on the ball, two hands have to remain on the ball and protect it to the ground. And that’s the truth.”
Overall, Rivera said, “the biggest thing that stood out in this game” was the team struggled with execution and missed opportunities.
The Commanders play their final road game of the 2022 regular season on Christmas Eve against the 49ers.
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