Taylor Heinicke on Sam Howell: ‘He’s got a bright future’

Where would the Washington Commanders have been over the last two seasons without quarterback Taylor Heinicke? Expected to be the backup in both seasons, but injuries to the starters in each season led Heinicke to play much more than expected.

In 26 games with Washington, 24 as a starter, Heinicke has led the Commanders to a 12-11-1 record. Washington has won 15 games in the last two seasons. Six quarterbacks have started at least one game during that stretch, with the other five only picking up three victories. Carson Wentz has two of those victories, and Sam Howell has one.

Now, the Commanders could be Howell’s team moving forward. Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed that Howell would enter the offseason as “QB1,” but he’d have to earn the job as it will not be given to him. Rivera has mentioned the Commanders will look to sign a veteran, perhaps even bringing Heinicke back to push Howell and serve as a mentor.

Heinicke was a guest Thursday on the “Pat McAfee Show” and discussed how he was supposed to have started in Week 17, but he had a talk with Rivera, encouraging him to give Howell a chance since the game meant nothing.

“We’ve seen Sam do what he can do during practice and through training camp,” Heinicke said Thursday of The Pat McAfee Show. “That dude’s a dawg; that dude can ball. Let’s see what he’s got. Obviously, y’all drafted him for a reason.”

Heinicke believes Howell will accomplish big things.