Chase Young is confident in Taylor Heinicke: ‘Big Tay coming in’

One of the everlasting images of Washington’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January was quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s scramble for a touchdown to cut the Bucs’ lead to one point, pending the extra point, late in the third quarter.

After the play, teammates surrounded Heinicke, celebrating his score. Defensive end Chase Young was one of those teammates. Young pointed to the back of Heinicke’s jersey and emphatically stated the quarterback’s last name to the camera.

Young was mic’d up that day, offering several quotes on Heinicke throughout the game. At one point, Young told a teammate, “I like him; I like him,” he said of Heinicke.

After Tuesday’s practice, Young met with the media and was asked about Heinicke as the team’s new starting quarterback, beginning on Thursday night against the New York Giants.

“Big Tay coming in. We know what he can do. I think he can start on any other team in the league,” Young said of Heinicke.

The reigning defensive rookie of the year wasn’t done praising Washington’s new QB1.

“At that position right now, I don’t think anybody is really too worried. I think Taylor can come in and sling it.”

Young was asked why the team was so confident in Heinicke.

“You could see it last year when he came in. I just remember him coming in, we signed him as a free agent. ‘I was like dang, who is that little guy?’ In that one game, he got to slinging, and you’re like, ‘he can go.’”

Every time Young has spoken of Heinicke, he seems excited. Washington’s belief in Heinicke, from the coaching staff to the players, is real. The team feels like it can win any game with the Heinicke under center.

In his relief appearance in Week 1, Heinicke completed 11 of 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. He made some plays with his legs, too.

Washington and the Giants are scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. EDT kickoff on Thursday.