1. Taylor Heinicke is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.
42 Facts About Taylor Heinicke
1. 2.
Taylor Heinicke played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015.
3.
In 2020, Taylor Heinicke filled in for Washington to replace an injured Alex Smith during a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
4.
Taylor Heinicke later started most of the 2021 season following an injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick, setting the NFL record for the most completions by a quarterback in his first three starts in NFL history.
5.
Taylor Heinicke started the majority of the 2022 season, after an injury to Carson Wentz.
6.
Taylor Heinicke has been cited as an underdog by teammates, fans, and the media due to his ability to lead teams to wins despite a perceived lack of size and natural arm talent.
7.
Taylor Heinicke was born on March 15,1993, in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
8.
Taylor Heinicke was the Gwinnett Daily Post Offensive Player of the Year after his record season when he threw for 4,218 yards, the second most in state history, and 44 touchdowns, which is the third-best ever in Georgia, setting Gwinnett County single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns.
9.
Taylor Heinicke threw for over 300 yards in nine games and ran for 354 yards on 77 carries along with a pair of touchdowns.
10.
Taylor Heinicke appeared on the reality TV show The Ride, which featured high school quarterbacks competing for a spot in the US Army All-American Bowl.
11.
In 2011, Taylor Heinicke accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Old Dominion University, where he played for the Monarchs from 2011 to 2014.
12.
Taylor Heinicke passed for 2,385 yards, 25 touchdowns, and aninterception, and he ran for 363 yards and four touchdowns.
13.
Taylor Heinicke was named to the All-CAA third-team and was the National Freshman Performer of the Year.
14.
That year, Taylor Heinicke passed for an FCS-record 5,076 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
15.
Taylor Heinicke punted 13 times for a total of 539 yards, kicking the longest punt on the team for the season of 61 yards.
16.
In 2013, Taylor Heinicke became just the 18th quarterback from Division I to pass for 10,000 career yards and rush for 1,000.
17.
Taylor Heinicke punted 14 times for a total of 661 yards.
18.
Taylor Heinicke went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft, but signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
19.
Taylor Heinicke competed against Mike Kafka to back up Vikings starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater along with Shaun Hill.
20.
Kafka would get injured and was placed on injured reserve, making way for Taylor Heinicke to be the third string quarterback.
21.
Taylor Heinicke was released with an injury settlement nine days later.
22.
On September 23,2017, Taylor Heinicke was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots.
23.
On November 29,2017, Taylor Heinicke was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad.
24.
Ten days later, Taylor Heinicke made his NFL debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Yates suffered a possible concussion.
25.
However, after completing his only pass attempt, Taylor Heinicke suffered a concussion and was replaced by Yates, who had just passed the concussion protocol.
26.
Taylor Heinicke's injury was significant enough that he was placed on injured reserve for the regular-season finale.
27.
Taylor Heinicke re-signed with the team on March 12,2019, but was released during final roster cuts on August 30.
28.
Taylor Heinicke was allocated to the St Louis BattleHawks of the XFL before the 2020 XFL Draft on November 22,2019.
29.
On December 8,2020, Taylor Heinicke signed with the practice squad of the Washington Football Team.
30.
Taylor Heinicke played his first game for the team in Week 16 against the Panthers after starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins was benched in the fourth quarter.
31.
Taylor Heinicke started the team's Wild Card Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Alex Smith was ruled out due to a calf injury.
32.
An impending restricted free agent in 2021, Taylor Heinicke signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract extension with the team in February.
33.
Taylor Heinicke was named the starter after Fitzpatrick was placed on injured reserve following the game.
34.
Taylor Heinicke set an NFL record for the most completions by a quarterback in their first three starts with 93 after Week 2.
35.
On December 17,2021, Taylor Heinicke was placed on the team's COVID-19 reserve list and was forced to miss the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
36.
At the start of the 2022 season, Taylor Heinicke was named the backup behind Carson Wentz.
37.
The next week, Taylor Heinicke threw for 149 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while adding 17 yards on the ground in a close loss at home to his former team, the Vikings.
38.
Taylor Heinicke reverted to the backup role after Wentz was reinstated as the team's starting quarterback before Week 17.
39.
On March 16,2023, Taylor Heinicke signed a two-year $14 million contract with his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons.
40.
Taylor Heinicke came in relief of Ridder in the second half of the Week 8 game against the Tennessee Titans.
41.
Taylor Heinicke spent the season as the primary backup to Justin Herbert, appearing in four games and only attempting five passes during the 2024 season.
42.
On March 13,2025, Taylor Heinicke signed a one-year, $6.2 million contract extension with the Chargers.