Did Washington's Taylor Heinicke Do Enough To Start The Rest Of The Season?

Fans of the Washington Football Team had been thirsty for the team to add free agent Cam Newton since his late-August release. But last night proved there's no need for Cam when you've got a fresh Heinicke. In Washington's 30-29 win over the Giants on Thursday Night Football, quarterback Taylor Heinicke didn't just quiet the Newton chatter, he built a case to be the team's starter going forward.

Heinicke was filling in for starter Ryan Fitzpatrick, who's currently on injured reserve with a bum hip. In his first start since last season's playoff loss to Tampa Bay, Heinicke showed out. The Old Dominion product completed 34 of his 46 pass attempts for 336 yards and two scores.

Regardless of when Fitzpatrick returns, Heinicke's Thursday night performance, coupled with a pair of strong 2020 outings, may force the coaches to give Heinicke strong consideration to start the remainder of the season.

"I have confidence that I can do it,” Heinicke said post game when asked whether he should start the rest of the way. “So if those guys in the locker room and the facility believe in me, that’s all that matters, and I believe they do.”

Locker room support shouldn't be a problem. He already has the team's best defender in his corner. "You can say he’s not that. You look at his performance, you got a good look at that. I think he is that. He showed it. He can be that," said Chase Young.

"Just to see what he did last year, came in and making plays. And to do that again today. What are we talking about?"

Per StatMuse, Heinicke has completed 60 of 90 passes for 642 yards over his last two starts.

His numbers and poise have other teammates besides Young impressed. “He reminded me of Russell Wilson,” said running back J.D. McKissic. “He was calm. He wanted to make a play. He wanted to do anything it took. Only thing on his mind was winning.”

Sounds like starter material.