Journeyman QB Taylor Heinicke retires after 7 NFL seasons and some memorable moments with Washington

TL;DR

Taylor Heinicke, the journeyman quarterback, has announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons. Known for his time with Washington, he leaves behind a legacy of memorable moments and a total of 30 NFL starts.

Key points

Taylor Heinicke retires after seven NFL seasons
Known for his time with Washington and playoff performance
Played for multiple teams including Atlanta and Los Angeles

Mentioned in this story

Taylor Heinicke

Washington CommandersMinnesota VikingsNew England PatriotsHouston Texans

Journeyman quarterback Taylor Heinicke, whose unique path to the NFL helped him become a fan favorite in Washington, has retired from the league. The 33-year-old Heinicke posted a goodbye message on social media Thursday in which he thanked supporters from his seven NFL seasons. He also spent time with Minnesota, New England, Houston, Carolina, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers. He was best known for his Washington tenure, which included a 7-8 record over 15 starts in 2021. His time with the team started when he was signed to the practice squad in December 2020 as an emergency quarterback. He was separated from the other three QBs in case any of them tested positive for COVID-19 and couldn’t play. Heinicke had been sleeping on his sister’s couch in Atlanta and taking online classes to complete a degree at Old Dominion when Washington called. His previous stop had been as a backup in the XFL in 2019. He ended up starting for Washington a month after his arrival, throwing for 306 yards and a touchdown and running for a score in a 31-23 playoff loss to Tom Brady and Tampa Bay. It was enough to earn him a full-time job the . “Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold,” Heinicke wrote. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would’ve been able to live this life. … Excited for this next chapter of my life.” Heinicke played one season for Atlanta after leaving Washington and one in in 2024. The Chargers released him last August, and he went unsigned. He played four games with the Chargers in 2024 and attempted five passes. Heinicke started 30 NFL games, including that playoff loss, and threw for 6,969 yards with 40 TDs and 29 interceptions during his career. He also ran for three scores. \\_ AP NFL:

Q&A

What teams did Taylor Heinicke play for in the NFL?

Taylor Heinicke played for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Chargers.

What were Taylor Heinicke's career statistics in the NFL?

Heinicke started 30 games, throwing for 6,969 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions, along with three rushing touchdowns.

Why is Taylor Heinicke considered a fan favorite in Washington?

Heinicke became a fan favorite in Washington due to his unexpected rise from practice squad to starting quarterback, including a notable playoff performance against Tom Brady.