Report: Washington Commanders have been ‘calling around’ on every veteran QB option while also focusing on rookie class

The Washington Commanders unveiled their new name and logo earlier this year.

As the team looks to usher in a new era in its franchise history, it seems like it is searching for a long-term solution at quarterback. The Commanders are reportedly “calling around” on every veteran option. They also seem to be prepared to draft a quarterback with their first-round pick in this year’s draft.

“I do have my eye on the Washington Commanders at No. 11 for the spot where the first quarterback could go off the board,” wrote Dan Graziano of ESPN. “Washington has been calling around on every veteran option, but I’m told it also has been focused on the rookies. The Commanders know they need a quarterback for 2022, but they’re obsessed with finding the answer at that position for the long term. Even if they sign a veteran in free agency, don’t be surprised if they use their first-round pick on a quarterback as well. The top candidates are Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett.”

Last season, the team had Taylor Heinicke manning the starting quarterback position. He started 15 of the 16 games he appeared in during the regular season. He won only seven of those starts. The 28-year-old ended the campaign completing 65.0 percent of his passes for 3,419 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also threw 15 interceptions.

Heinicke has bounced around the league quite a bit since going undrafted in 2015, joining many different teams before landing with Washington during the 2020 season.

After filling in for injured starter Alex Smith in that season’s playoffs and doing an admirable job, he re-signed with the franchise.

Heinicke was supposed to back up veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for the 2021 season. However, Fitzpatrick sustained a season-ending injury, leaving Heinicke as the Washington’s starter for the campaign.

Nonetheless, it looks like the Commanders do not see Heinicke as a long-term solution to their quarterback woes.

It will be very interesting to see what the Commanders end up doing and who winds up as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2022 season.