Washington is in the middle of the season, but it’s far from understanding its future in quarterbacks.
Ron Rivera knows better than anyone.
“Now, one of the most difficult things we can understand now is whether there is a franchise quarterback now,” he said. Is the man on our list? Or will the man become a free agent? Will that guy be in the draft next year? “
The answer to those questions can be found in Taylor Heinicke’s play. His 28-year-old resume has nine NFL starts, injuring starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. The rest of Washington’s season could be a referendum on the future of Heinicke.
In more than seven games this season, Heinike completed 63.9% of his passes with 1,928 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 pass cuts. Washington is 2-6.
“I’ll do my best to it and that’s all I can do,” Heinicke said when asked if he deserved to remain a starter. “I control what I can control, and I feel better over the weeks, and it feels like it wasn’t enough lately.”
Washington has the worst red zone attack in the league, even though it has moved the ball relatively well up to that point. On the plus side, Heinicke rushed 232 yards, giving the unit an unpredictable element that wasn’t under Alex Smith or countless previous starters and probably wouldn’t have been possible with Fitzpatrick. I did.
Even if Fitzpatrick, who plans to have an MRI of his injured right hip, could play this week, he’s only signed this season and is more temporary than a long-term solution. thinking about. Heinicke is the ninth different quarterback to start for Washington in the last five seasons and includes Dwayne Haskins, a failed first round draft topic. He is basically the only hope of the team not to be in 10th place in 2022.
“We must continue to work with what we have, grow with what we have, and try to nurture the people we have. The man is ours. We will grow on the roster, and we will be well, “Rivera said.
What is working
The defense power is improving. After high pre-season expectations highlighted the early-season struggle, Pass Rush influenced and Jaman Davis, the first round pick, became accustomed to life as an NFL linebacker.
If the secondary can tighten a few things, Washington’s defense could rise mediocre in the last nine games.
What you need help with
In Rivera’s words, maturity. Members of this young group can show their coaches that they deserve to stick, as the unlikely run to the NFC East District Championship for the second year in a row appears to be out of reach. increase.
“Now we are a young team learning how to mature, and that’s what we do,” Rivera said. “We will do our best to guide them and see what happens.”
Hoard
Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen has been one of Washington’s leaders for the last few years and has been a standout so far this season. Allen has 6 bags and isn’t just a combination of AP Defense Blue Key of the Year Chase Young and fellow Edgerusher Montez Sweat.
Allen has proved the front office’s right to sign him a four-year extension of $ 72 million on the eve of the training camp. Perhaps the deal has allowed Pick Produce in the first round of 2017 to reduce the pressure on him.
Reduce inventory
One of the unsuccessful contracts was the $ 34.5 million free agent-signed three-year contract for wide receiver Curtis Samuel. A prolonged groin injury that began during off-season training could limit Samuel to two games, eight catches, and 81 yards, which could completely upset the season.
Injured
Rivera is optimistic that Washington could regain Samuel. Antonio Gibson’s shin injury is noteworthy, especially if Washington wants to see what’s in the rookie running back to Jarrett Patterson.
Key number
45.45 – Percentage of Washington Red Zone trips that resulted in touchdowns. Only one other team is below 50% during the season.
Next step
Heinicke had the chance to take revenge on Tom Brady and defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, who fought well in the wild card round of the playoffs last season. It’s a tough job. Tampa Bay has opened as a road favorite at 8 1/2 points in the FanDuel Sports Book.
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Referendum on Hainike in late Washington season | WGN Radio 720
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