“She may want that,” Heinicke said with a smile.
With bags and boxes strewn across the floor, Commanders players cleaned out their lockers on Monday morning. They returned their tablets and playbooks, had a final team meeting, and visited with the coaches and coordinators.
For some – including Heinicke, a future free agent – it may have been their last trip to Ashburn. For others, it was simply the last trip to the establishment before the franchise faced months of uncertainty with ownership, management, staff and more.
As they left, the players talked about various topics including their health, team performance and more.
“Consistency…would help everyone”
Heinicke was still waiting for a signed jersey from wide receiver Terry McLaurin to add to his collection. Memories of his more than two years in Washington have meant more to Heinicke this year as his run may be over. Once the team’s emergency quarterback during the coronavirus pandemic, Heinicke revived his career as Washington’s backup starter and, later, an actual starter who helped commanders revolve around their season in 2022.
“I love all the guys in this locker room,” Heinicke said Monday. “…I would love to come back and be with these guys, but free agency is crazy business. We’ll see what happens, but Washington is definitely my first choice.
Heinicke’s place in Washington could hinge on the team’s opinion of rookie Sam Howell, who has impressed in his NFL debut against the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Ron Rivera nearly secured an off-season search for a potential long-term starting quarterback and declined to say after win over Cowboys where Howell fits in in the mix.
Howell said Monday he was happy to have a few reps on tape to review in the offseason, and he said he was confident he could build on his early success.
“Yeah, I sure can,” he said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I played a match. They still have to make the decisions, and whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for it.
Since Rivera was hired in 2020, Washington has had eight starting quarterbacks. Having only one starter in a season would be a significant improvement.
“It would give a sense of comfort and consistency, when you have this guy you can trust [who] going to be there, match in and game out, going to be able to overcome growing pains, and there won’t necessarily be any changes,” McLaurin said. “And you have a guy you can grow and develop with. It is extremely important, not only for me but for the cohesion of our whole group. All the quarterbacks we’ve had this year have done great things, but having consistency there would help everyone.
A possible change of ownership
The potential sale of Commanders created uncertainty on all fronts. Will Rivera be given the leeway to make the moves he deems appropriate for the franchise? How soon could a new owner arrive? And could this owner be looking to make wholesale changes in his first season?
On Monday, cornerback Kendall Fuller said he would need a teammate to update him on news about a potential new owner.
“I don’t pay attention to anything,” Fuller said. “I’m off social media and stuff like that. I said [Jeremy] Reaves last night that he’ll probably end up texting me if anything happens.
Any change in ownership is likely to have an immediate ripple effect, much like when a coach brings in his own assistants. McLaurin has had a thriving career amid change, from coaching to quarterbacking, and he knows what lies ahead may not be any different from his previous experiences.
“It’s a business, and when new people come in, they don’t really give you allegiance,” he said. “That goes for me too. I really feel like I try to come here every year and earn my respect and prove why I should be on this team and be a leader. If you don’t come up with that mindset to earn it, then things will pass you by and attrition will probably happen a little faster.
Several notable commanders are expected to enter free agency this offseason, including Heinicke, Reaves, linebacker Cole Holcomb, defensive tackle Daron Payne and interior offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer.
The bigger question is Payne. He could command a multi-year contract worth an average of more than $19 million a year, and he can be difficult for commanders to keep, given the amount they have already invested in the line. Placing an exclusive franchise tag on Payne for next season is expected to cost $18.139 million.
“My agent, he is well paid. One of the best in the business, and he’s going to do his job,” Payne said. “I had faith in him. I’m just going to relax and train.
Does he think he will come back?
“Who knows?” he said.
The Holcomb, Reaves and Schweitzer markets are murkier. Everyone expressed an interest in going back to the commanders, but also understanding that it might not work.
“I love this organization. I love the guys in the locker room. I would love to do something,” Holcomb said. “But I also understand the business side of this league.”
Running back Antonio Gibson (knee/foot) came in on crutches, and Holcomb (foot) rolled in with his right foot on a cart. They returned to the locker room with the media for the first time since landing on the season-ending injured list, along with running back JD McKissic (neck) and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (knee).
Gibson, who suffered a broken left foot for about two months, had surgery last week. He said doctors gave him a three-month recovery schedule, but “it’s all up in the air [depending on] how my body reacts to it. He says he doesn’t know when he will be able to train again.
“Right now, no time to waste,” he said. “My toe is big as hell.”
Holcomb, who underwent foot surgery in early December, said he hoped his recovery would last “only a few months”.
“I will be 100% ready for [the] season,” he said.
Mathis, a rookie second-round pick, tore the meniscus in his left knee in the season opener on Sept. 11. Two weeks ago, he said, he started jogging and movement exercises.
“I’m probably 75-80%,” he said. “We are going in a big direction.”
McKissic, who declined to speak to reporters, appears to be facing a serious situation. It was his second consecutive season-ending neck injury, and Rivera said last week that McKissic may have to give serious thought to whether he wants to play football again.
“It will be a decision he has to make, if he gets the okay from the doctors,” Rivera said.