The prospect of having Josh Johnson start at quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day is not something the Washington Commanders should entertain, not when one of the team’s former starting signal-caller’s is still available in free agency.
Signing ex-Commanders passer Taylor Heinicke off the street makes sense for Week 17’s game against another NFC East rival. That’s according to 106.7 The Fan’s Denton Day, who told his colleague Lynnell Willingham, “Honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying this, I would take 4.”
When Willingham asked, “go get Taylor?” Denton confirmed, “I would if it’s between Josh Johnson, Sam Hartman or Taylor Heinicke off the street, at the very least, Heinicke would be fun for like 20 minutes.”
Denton’s suggestion might only be semi-serious, but his strong words underscore how badly Johnson performed in relief of injured Marcus Mariota in Week 16. The 29-18 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles is likely to be remembered more for a controversial two-point play that angered the Commanders, but the game also shone a light on Washington’s growing mess at football’s most important position.
It’s a problem with no completely credible solution, so giving Heinicke a chance to repeat the late-season heroics he produced in 2020 is as good an idea as any.
Commanders May Not Avoid Josh Johnson Decision
Mariota was playing at a surprisingly high level in relief of the injured Jayden Daniels, but the hand injury suffered by the veteran in the third quarter against the Eagles brought Johnson into the fray.
Head coach Dan Quinn hadn’t met with the medical staff about Mariota’s status immediately after the game, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. It means Johnson, the 39-year-old who’s played on 13 teams, could be called upon again when the Cowboys visit Northwest Stadium on December 25.
That prospect will understandably make some nervous after the way Johnson floundered against the Eagles. He reached a nadir with this interception thrown to safety Cooper DeJean.
The clear error can be attributed to rust, with Quinn revealing Johnson’s “not getting a lot of the reps into that space,” per The Washington Post’s Tashan Reed. Johnson admitted “A lot of it is just about rhythm and just getting into the flow of the game, actually understanding what guys are going to do in those split seconds. Those are the things that you don’t necessarily get in my position. That’s why I said I’m looking forward to this week because we can at least be on the same page.”
Getting the work in practice would be welcome since 10-year pro Johnson normally “gets no reps with the starters during the week,” according to ESPN’s John Keim. The latter also noted Johnson hasn’t started a game since 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens, and he’s thrown a combined 14 passes since that game.”
Johnson still appears to have the edge over Hartman, who wasn’t active against the Eagles, but the Commanders can’t ignore any potential solution to their QB problems. Even if it means exploring a reunion with Heinicke.
Taylor Heinicke Would Be a Headline for Cowboys
Adding Heinicke to the mix would generate some genuine interest for what is essentially an otherwise meaningless game against the Cowboys. Banking on the 32-year-old being ready to play in a matter of days might be too much to expect, but Heinicke getting up to speed in a hurry isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Not after 44-year-old Philip Rivers came out of retirement to start for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Rivers immediately stepped into the mixer against the Seattle Seahawks, owners of one of the toughest, most complex defenses in the NFL.
Heinicke could do something similar because he has experience of suddenly being elevated into action. It happened late during the 2020 season, when the former practice squad member stepped in for injured veteran Alex Smith and gave Tom Brady and the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers an almighty scare in the playoffs.
Although he couldn’t keep the job beyond the following season, Heinicke proved himself at least a competent pro starter. He’s a boom-or-bust passer who knows a key Commanders playmaker, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, well, so maybe Quinn and general manager Adam Peters should at least place a call.
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