Washington reportedly set to release Smith, create opening for former ODU star at QB
The Washington Football Team reportedly is set to release veteran quarterback Alex Smith — a move that leaves former Old Dominion star Taylor Heinicke among just two players expected to compete for the starting position.
Heinicke played well in a brief late-season appearance and firstround playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay, and last month he signed a two-year contract to remain with Washington.
Heinicke, 27, and Kyle Allen, 24, will be the only quarterbacks on Washington’s roster when Smith departs. The team is likely to pursue other quarterbacks in free agency and has the 19th overall pick in the NFL draft.
Smith’s imminent release was first reported by NFL Network.
Heinicke was taking virtual classes to finish his degree at Old Dominion when Washington called late in the regular season. He hadn’t played a snap in the NFL since 2018, but within a few weeks he had gone from the Washington practice squad to the starter. Former first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins’ struggles and injuries to Alex Smith helped propel Heinicke into the starting lineup when Washington met the Buccaneers.
Against Tampa Bay, Heinicke drew rave reviews from his Washington teammates and coach Ron Rivera after completing 26 of 44 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown. He also was Washington’s leading rusher, with 46 yards on six attempts, including an 8-yard TD run and dive to the pylon that made the rounds on social media and TV highlights.
Heinicke’s deal with Washington is an incentive-laden contract that could be worth up to $8.75 million, according to multiple reports. Citing sources, JP Findlay of NBCSports Washington reported Heinicke received a $1 million signing bonus and $1.5 million guaranteed.
“You have to be consistent,” Heinicke told reporters after signing. “That’s what makes quarterbacks great. That’s what wins games. When I go out there and train, I try to be perfect, complete all the balls, put them all where I want them to be, have my feet on time and stuff. You work on the same things every year; you just try to get better at it and polish it up.”
Smith, 36, won five of the six games he started this season and was named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year. He missed the entire 2019 season after a gruesome leg injury that eventually required 17 operations.