Can anyone remember back to the 2012 NFL draft when some said former Wisconsin and N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was too short to play in the NFL?
How foolish does that notion sound now?
Wilson, listed at 5-foot-11, has enjoyed a legendary NFL career through 10 seasons, leading the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson has passed for over 35,000 yards with 277 touchdowns to only 84 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 4,608 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke is certainly appreciative of Wilson. Heinicke, who met with the media after Washington’s Wednesday practice, was asked about comparisons to Wilson. Heinicke, too, has been compared to Wilson due to his size and mobility.
“I’ll take that all day,” Heinicke said of comparisons to Wilson. “That’s a quarterback I’ve tried to emulate for a while now. I’ve been watching him grow up. He kind of paved the way for short, mobile quarterbacks, so I’m excited to watch him play on Monday, and hopefully, he doesn’t play too well.”
Taylor Heinicke on Russell Wilson: pic.twitter.com/aK5v5nSWiY
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 24, 2021
Heinicke certainly has a long way to go to come close to Wilson’s accomplishments, but they do have a similar style, although Wilson has a much stronger arm and a thicker, more muscular frame. Washington running back J.D. McKissic called Heinicke “Baby Russell Wilson” earlier this season.
That sounds fair.
While Heinicke admires Wilson, he certainly hopes to defeat him on Monday. Heinicke has led Washington to wins over three former MVP quarterbacks in Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton this season. While Wilson hasn’t won the MVP award, he’s still among the game’s best players.