Taylor Heinicke
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, foreground, throws during the NFL team's football practice, Friday, June 2, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Ridder emboldened by 4-game audition entering 2023 as starting QB

By Charles Odum 16 hrs ago

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Bijan Robinson speaks at an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Falcons add RB Bijan Robinson to young core around QB Ridder

By Charles Odum Apr. 29, 2023 07:30 PM EDT

Defensive back Joey Porter Jr. runs a drill during Penn State's football pro day in State College, Pa., Friday, March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Commanders go into NFL draft not looking for a quarterback

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 20, 2023 10:10 AM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
Heinicke says he signed with Falcons to be Ridder's backup

By Charles Odum Mar. 16, 2023 05:42 PM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
AP source: QB Heinicke returning home to sign with Falcons

By Paul Newberry Mar. 14, 2023 12:20 PM EDT

FILE - Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, left, talks with coach Ron Rivera during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, May 6, 2022, in Ashburn, Va. Coach Rivera says rookie Sam Howell is expected start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders in their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. It will be Howell's NFL debut. Rivera said the decision was made to give Howell a look in case the fifth-round pick out of the University of North Carolina gets a chance to be a full-time starter in the pros. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
Commanders to start rookie Sam Howell at QB vs. Cowboys

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2023 01:48 PM EST

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera talks to reporters after a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Rivera won't commit to Commanders starting QB vs. Cowboys

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 02, 2023 04:47 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Wentz, Commanders lose to Browns, eliminated from contention

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 01, 2023 03:57 PM EST

Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel, center, tries to break free from San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir as he rushes the ball in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Commanders host Browns hoping to stay in playoff race

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2022 08:10 PM EST

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera speaks with an official in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Carson Wentz, Commanders continue playoff chase vs. Browns

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 29, 2022 04:50 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa (97) zeroes in on Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) in the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Commanders turn to Wentz to start Week 17 game vs. Browns

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 28, 2022 10:21 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) speaks with Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Curl's absence hurts Commanders, even with Young's return

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 26, 2022 12:58 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke throws to a receiver in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Back-to-back losses leave Commanders in QB quandary

By Josh Dubow Dec. 24, 2022 09:39 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) rushes the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Purdy leads 49ers past Commanders 37-20 for 8th straight win

By Josh Dubow Dec. 24, 2022 07:24 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Commanders cling to playoffs heading into meeting with 49ers

By Josh Dubow Dec. 22, 2022 06:41 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
49ers seek 8th straight win when hosting Commanders

By The Associated Press Dec. 22, 2022 01:51 PM EST

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 16

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 21, 2022 04:58 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) walks off the field after the Giants beats the Commanders 20-12 in a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at FedExField in Landover, Md. (Shaban Athuman/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
Stalling in red zone is hurting Commanders' playoff chances

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 19, 2022 07:53 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) argues about a call that negated a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Commanders question officiating decisions in loss to Giants

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 19, 2022 01:07 AM EST

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) tackles Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) and forces him to lose the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
2 fumbles by Heinicke hinder Commanders in loss to Giants

By Howard Fendrich Dec. 18, 2022 11:45 PM EST