As we head into the 2022 NFL offseason, The Washington Football Team is in search of two key things: a quarterback and an identity. Those two problems exist due to the lack of a quarterback of the future and the fact that the team is literally still without a name. With rumors circling that the announcement of a new name could be coming rather swiftly–possibly seeing the team become the “Commanders”– that leaves the former problem as the most important.

With just quarterback Taylor Heinecke under contract for 2022, Washington must think deep and long about how much they believe or don't believe in Heinecke. One would have to believe that if the organization truly trusted in Heinecke as the unquestioned starter, they would have not only said something publicly to that degree, they also most likely would have already extended him. The organization has failed to do either, setting up Washington's biggest offseason need to be…

*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Biggest 2022 NFL offseason need for Washington

Quarterback

After throwing just 76 passes in his first four years in the NFL, Heinecke threw 496 of them in 2021 and ended up with 20 touchdown passes. Those came with 15 interceptions, though, so that is likely where the major complaints from Washington are coming. His stats other than the touchdown to interception ratio are decent, but that is just when looking at him on the surface. His 6.9 yards per attempt was near the bottom of the league and his touchdown percentage was abysmal (4%). Washington simply must get more than 20 touchdowns when they pass the ball nearly 500 times. The problem for them, however, is that the free-agent class in the 2022 NFL offseason figures to be weak…and that's being nice.

Article Continues Below
More NFL News
Reggie Bush smiles during the Hawkeye Hoops from Downtown event with the Iowa men's and women's basketball programs
Reggie Bush calls out ‘cheap’ NFL owners with urgent demandJaren Kawada ·
NFC cornerback Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams (5) reacts against the AFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium.
NFL rumors: Panthers urged to outbid Rams for Jalen Ramsey tradeBen Strauss ·
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
NFL rumors: Falcons insider picks Browns Kirk Cousins trade idea over SteelersZachary Weinberger ·
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium.
NFL rumors: Falcons insider shuts down Vikings trade ideas for Kirk CousinsMalik Brown ·
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with his brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) after he won Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
NFL stars Jason, Travis Kelce tease fans with ‘biggest guest ever’ hint for Wednesday’s podcastMiguel La Torre ·
Retired NFL player Peyton Manning stands on the sidelines of Empower Field at Mile High before the game between the Carolina Panthers Denver Broncos.
Peyton Manning makes major NWSL Denver expansion announcementErin Achenbach ·

The best chance that Washington has at finding a competent quarterback is to try through trade. Jimmy Garoppolo is rumored to be available from the San Francisco 49ers so that would be my first place to call up. If they cannot get a deal done with the 49ers then I would be on the phone with the Tennessee Titans about Ryan Tannehill and the Las Vegas Raiders about Derek Carr. If either of those teams decided to move on from their starter, the football team should be eagerly awaiting their phones with offers ready.

Most likely, though, Washington will be choosing their next quarterback of the future via the 2022 NFL draft. That brings up another problem for Washington: this isn't a good quarterback draft. Ironically, this could be the worst QB class since Carr was drafted out of Fresno State in the second round in 2014. The top quarterbacks for the draft this season include the University of Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral from Ole Miss, Malik Willis from Liberty, Sam Howell from the University of North Carolina, and Desmond Ridder of the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Of all of the quarterbacks that are listed here as possibilities, Ridder, Corral, and Willis all jump off of the page because of their rushing abilities…especially Willis. Washington head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner both have a history with quarterbacks that can run the ball on their own. As raw as Willis may be as a passer, he brings immediate upside to his team to use as a runner while he figures out how to be a QB in the NFL.