Three QB options in 2022 for Seahawks after Baker Mayfield trade
By Lee Vowell
Seahawks should try for Washington Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke
Like every other quarterback on this list, Heinicke is a free agent after the 2022 season. Heinicke is also unlikely to be a long-term option for the Seahawks. So why add him? Because he also probably gives Seattle a better chance to win this season than Drew Lock or Geno Smith. Smith and Lock are also free agents after 2022 and, at worst, Seattle needs a backup QB in 2023 too.
Heinicke is probably good enough to be a starter for two years as well. He was the Commanders starter in 2021 and the team exceeded expectations. One huge reason for this was that Heinicke led 4 game-winning drives and 3 fourth quarter comebacks. He doesn’t play small when the situation is large.
Heinicke has been replaced in Washington this offseason, however. The Commanders picked up Carson Wentz and drafted Sam Howell. Howell isn’t ready to play in the NFL yet but Wentz has been healthier in recent seasons. He played all 17 last year and played all 16 in 2019. He missed only four in 2020. This means Heinicke is the odd man out in Washington.
Heinicke also doesn’t have a huge contract. His cap hit is only $3.625 million this year. Seattle should offer the Commanders a late-round draft pick and insert Heinicke in as the starter. He is a smart player, too, so it shouldn’t take him long to pick up Shane Waldron’s system.