Atlanta Falcons' Raheem Morris Praises 'Elite Backup' Taylor Heinicke

Despite being unable to lead the Atlanta Falcons as their starting quarterback last season, new coach Raheem Morris is confident in Taylor Heinicke's abilities as a backup.

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) drops back to / Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have their new starting quarterback after the free-agent signing of Kirk Cousins. The former Minnesota Viking is expected to solve the Falcons' quarterback woes that date back to the trade of Matt Ryan ahead of the 2022 season. 

After two straight seasons of the Falcons essentially using a bridge option under center, with the likes of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke failing to provide the consistent play needed to lead a playoff team, the Falcons finally have their next franchise option. 

However, even with the inconsistent quarterback play of the last two years, which has seen Mariota and Ridder both leave Atlanta, Heinicke is the lone survivor, and it isn’t by mistake. 

"I don't want to limit him to what he can be, but he has shown he's been an elite backup in this league," Morris said of Heinicke’s role this coming season. "You're talking about a guy who can come into the game and win you the game until your starter gets back, then -- boom -- not miss a beat. (He did) not need the reps required to go out there and play and execute. He's shown all those things."

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) drops back to / Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

After signing with the Falcons last season to serve as Ridder's backup and mentor, Heinicke became part of the quarterback carousel that plagued the Falcons' season. The former undrafted free agent made his first appearance off the bench in the Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans last season. 

Heinicke would go on to start the next three games before a hamstring injury in the Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, which gave way for Ridder to retake the starting role. That was until Weeks 15 and 16 when Heinicke recorded his first win as a starter with the Falcons against the Indianapolis Colts. However, another injury saw him miss the Week 18 loss to the New Orleans Saints. 

Heinicke finished the year with a 1-3 record as the starter, throwing for 890 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. While that may not strike as “elite” for a backup like Morris said, the 30-year-old earned that reputation with the Washington Commanders in the prior year. 

After kicking off the 2022 season as the backup, an injury to then-starting quarterback Carson Wentz saw Heinicke take over for the next nine games, leading the Commanders to a 5-3-1 record. 

It is that experience that the Falcons hope that if Cousins were to suffer a setback, Heinicke would be more than able to come off the bench and help them win games.