Washington Football Team has struggled in recent years to fill the quarterback position.
Players have been plugged into the role only to be replaced due to injury, performance, or other off-the-field issues.
Generations have passed since Washington had the same starting quarterback for greater than three seasons.
Joe Theismann and Mark Rypien were the most recent examples from the 1980s and early 90s.
For the 2021 season, WFT signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The experiment was unfortunately short-lived as Fitzpatrick suffered a hip injury that ended his season almost before it began in the second quarter of Week 1.
Old enough to remember Ryan Fitzpatrick started week 1 for Washington pic.twitter.com/wYdRRxBlcp
— Tom Wall (@TheGreatWall25) December 21, 2021
After not drafting a QB, Ron Rivera leaves the door open for Ryan Fitzpatrick to be WFT's quarterback in 2022: "If Ryan does play well and he's got a lot left, why don't you bring him back?" https://t.co/4ZXOQrznyj
— The Team 980 (@team980) May 4, 2021
WFT’s quarterback issues have not escaped former quarterback-turned-analyst Brady Quinn‘s attention.
On The Dan Patrick Show last Thursday, this precise topic came up, and Quinn sounded off.
How The Conversation Started
“Which team should stick with its quarterback Miami, Indy, Philly, the Niners, Washington?”
Quinn answered that all were set except for Washington.
He elaborated on his opinion by saying:
“Washington is the interesting one to me like where I think you go back to before the season. I am still questioning, what was the plan? Ryan Fitzpatrick was going to be the guy and that was going to be how it would go? Maybe they battle for the NFC East, maybe not. Given his age and what is their ceiling if that is the decision you are making? So, I never understood that whole plan to begin with, so that is the one team I can assure you is going to be looking for a quarterback in the off-season.”
Quinn Is Not Wrong
Developing a young quarterback or signing a viable free agent quarterback for the long run have not been in WFT’s plans.
After Kirk Cousins left in 2017 and Alex Smith suffered his catastrophic leg injury on November 18, 2018, the WFT has had 9 starting quarterbacks through the 2021 season.
They include: Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, and Garrett Gilbert.
WFT choosing to sign a 39-year-old Fitzpatrick seemed to be yet another short-term fix at best.
It was a shorter term than either WFT or Fitzpatrick hoped for.
Will Taylor Heinicke Be The Man In 2022?
Though Quinn did not address Taylor Heinicke’s role with WFT, the more pertinent question will be if the WFT sticks with him as the starter next season.
Heinicke took the reins after Fitzpatrick’s injury and has done fairly well.
As a starter in 2021, Taylor Heinicke is 3-0 when he throws zero INTs, 1-5 in games with at least one pick. He has a half to alter that pattern.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 30, 2021
The 28-year-old Old Dominion alumnus is 6-6 this season.
He has thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Taylor Heinicke really threaded the needle on the TD throw to Cam Sims pic.twitter.com/eu6W3Zol2K
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 22, 2021
Heinicke is in the first of a two-year contract with WFT valued at $4.75 million.
Admittedly, that is a bargain price for a starting quarterback.
Will WFT be satisfied with proceeding with Heinicke or pursue another path in 2022?
According to Quinn, the team will definitely be shopping around for a quarterback in the offseason.
Time will tell if he is correct in his assessment.
NEXT: Washington Has No Starting QB For Week 15
