Former Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke retires

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th May, 11:18 2026

Jan 1, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) stands on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Journeyman NFL quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who started 24 games for Washington from 2021-22, announced his retirement after a seven-year career.

"Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold," Heinicke wrote Thursday on Instagram. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would've been able to live this life ... Excited for this next chapter of my life."

Heinicke, 33, made his last NFL appearance in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers, who released him just ahead of the 2025 season.

He went 7-8 as the starter for the Washington Football Team in 2021 and 5-3-1 with the rebranded Commanders in 2022. He also appeared in games for the Houston Texans (2017), Carolina Panthers (2018), Atlanta Falcons (2023) and Chargers.

Heinicke starred in college at the FCS level at Old Dominion, where he won the Walter Payton Award and was named the FCS Player of the Year in 2012.

Undrafted in 2015, he compiled a 13-15-1 record as an NFL starter while completing 62.5% of his passes for 6,663 yards with 39 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 42 games (29 starts).

Following an injury to starter Alex Smith, Heinicke served as an emergency starter for Washington's wild-card playoff game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 9, 2021. He completed 26 of 44 passes for 306 yards with one TD and one interception and also rushed for a score in a 31-23 loss played in an empty stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

--Field Level Media