Taylor Heinicke, the undrafted quarterback who carved out a seven-year NFL career, has announced his retirement at 33.
‘For 25 years, I had the pleasure to play this great sport of football,’ Heinicke wrote in a statement posted on social media. ‘It has taught me a lot, not only about myself, but about life as well.
‘Many ups and downs throughout the years, but the ups outweigh the downs tenfold. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would’ve been able to live this life.’
Heinicke went on to thank everyone for their support and the football decision makers ‘who gave me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream.’
‘Excited for this next chapter of my life!’ he concluded. ‘And always, Go Skins!’
Heinicke’s signoff was notable because it included a nickname derived from the Washington Commanders’ erstwhile moniker, the Redskins. And although he played three seasons in Washington, he did so in 2020, shortly after the franchise dropped the controversial name considered to be an anti-Native American slur.
Taylor Heinicke, the undrafted QB who carved out a seven-year NFL career, has announced his retirement at 33. He went unsigned in 2025 after playing for the Chargers in 2024
Although he played for the Washington Football Team and the Washington Commanders, Heinicke signed his retirement statement ‘Go Skins!’ in reference to the team’s former name
Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown as Jay Colbert of New Hampshire defends at S.B. Ballard Stadium in 2012
Several online commenters responded with some form of ‘Go Skins.’
Heinicke was working on finishing his engineering degree at Old Dominion in December of 2020 when he was signed to the practice squad of the Washington Football Team, as the Commanders were known at the time.
Within weeks, the Georgia native would find himself on the active roster, where he was quickly promoted over former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins. Heinicke even started a playoff game in place of an injured Alex Smith and nearly led Washington to an upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He was rewarded that summer with a two-year, $4.75 million deal and after free-agent acquisition Ryan Fitzpatrick battled injury issues, Heinicke would find himself back under center, where he went 7-8 as a starter.
Over his career, Heinicke recorded a 13-15-1 record as a starting quarterback, while completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 6,663 yards and 39 touchdowns. And over stints with Houston, Carolina, Washington, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers, Heinicke would add another three touchdowns and 608 yards on the ground.
Heinicke did sign a one-year, $6.2 million extension with the Chargers in March of 2025, only to be released in favor of Trey Lance prior to the season. As a result, he went unsigned in 2025.
