LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 01: Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the game at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders’ ex, is ‘heartbroken’ to leave Washington.
Taylor Heinicke, who spent three years with the Washington Commanders, signed with the Atlanta Falcons this week. But the cult star quarterback’s decision was not easy.
Taylor Heinicke is on a new route in his NFL career after signing with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week after leaving the Washington Commanders.
The departure ends his three-year stay in Washington, where he became a fan favorite following his playoff heroics against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two years ago.
From then on, Heinicke made his home in Washington, a place he didn’t want to leave. Indeed, Heinicke said earlier this week that he planned to re-sign with the Commanders, but talks fell through when the Falcons offered him a bigger deal.
“It was very difficult,” Heinicke said of his departure from Washington. “It feels like a home to me.” I made a lot of fantastic friends there. There are many wonderful memories there. They offered me another chance at football. I’m going from one house to another, so it’s a fairly simple process, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it wrenched my heart to leave those people up there.”
Heinicke played his high school ball 45 minutes away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, igniting a homecoming for the 30-year-old. But home is where the heart is, and Heinicke had his heart in Washington. But the money and opportunity to return home and play for his hometown team was too good to pass up.
Heinicke will compete for the starting job in Atlanta next to second-year pro Desmond Ridder, where he hopes to make even more memories with the Falcons.
