Ron Rivera has said he will hold a true quarterback competition this offseason, and Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke is excited for the opportunity to compete and learn.
“Once we all get up to D.C., yeah, it's a competition we're all gonna compete against each other, but we're also all gonna help each other. We’re a team. We all have one common goal and that's to win the Super Bowl,” Heinicke told The Team 980’s Chris Russell and Pete Medhurst Tuesday.
But the 28-year-old quarterback said he isn’t letting the signing of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick or the speculation of Washington drafting a QB like Trey Lance in the first round change his mentality or the way he prepares for the season.
“My biggest thing that I go by is, ‘Control what you can control,’” Heinicke told The Team 980. “And it wasn’t my decision to bring in Fitzpatrick or go draft a quarterback or anything like that. The only thing I can do is wake up every morning, try and be a better person from the day before and get better as a quarterback. And that’s what I do.”
He added: "I don't really try and look at those scenarios, I think it kinda stresses people out and forward. But I just try and control what I control and go from there.”
Listen to the full interview with Taylor Heinicke here:
And this offseason has been unique for Heinicke as he said he has felt somewhat more secure after Washington signed him to a contract extension. He added, "this year is definitely different from the previous five to six years, where I just feel like I have a legit opportunity.”
“In the last five or six years in the league, I've never felt like I had two feet in the door," Heinicke told The Team 980. "I felt like I always had that one foot in [the door], one foot out and I'm just clawing my way to get in; whether it’s preseason or practice and stuff like that.
“And with what just happened I kinda finally feel the two feet in, not to say that I’m comfortable, but just to say there’s more of a sense of comfort, more of a sense of security with the multi-year deal, a little bit of a signing bonus and some guaranteed money. With that, I feel a little bit more less stressed. And I’m excited for the opportunity to, again, learn from Kyle [Allen], learn from Fitzpatrick, and from [practice squad QB Steven] Montez. Keep on learning and soaking in information and getting better as a quarterback.”
Heinicke also said he is excited about the team Washington's front office has put together this offseason, adding Fitzpatrick was "all pumped up" about the trade for offensive lineman Ereck Flowers. (Fitzpatrick and Flowers were teammates with the Dolphins in 2019.)
"It's just an exciting time. We're starting to build a lot of things together,” Heinicke said. “And you got the draft coming up and we’re all excited to see the pieces that we put together and we feel pretty good about the team now.”
Heinicke said while his shoulder is “feeling good” he is still not yet at 100 percent since he sustained an AC joint sprain in Washington’s loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Bucs.
“Strength is almost back to 100,” Heinicke said, “there’s just a couple of things here and there that I do that kinda aggrevates it; whether that’s sleeping on that shoulder or reaching across with a lot of weight, stuff like that. But everyday stuff, I feel like I could go out and play a football game right now. So, my shoulder’s feeling good, I’m feeling good. I’m just itching to get back going with the guys.”
Other than that, this offseason has been uneventful for the quarterback: training, passing two college finals, binge-watching television and movies, and a bit of time on the golf course, as well.
“I played last week my best round of golf ever, got an 84,” Heinicke said. “So hopefully I can build on that. I’m sure when I play this week, on Friday, I’ll be back up in the 92s.”
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