In Washington’s preseason opener, Demond Williams Jr. made a strong case for himself as the team’s starting quarterback. The 22-year-old completed 10 of 15 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 25 yards, showcasing his mobility and athleticism.
“Demond played really well tonight,” said head coach Ron Rivera. “He was accurate with his passes, made good decisions, and led our offense down the field consistently.”
Williams is competing with veteran Taylor Heinicke for the starting job. Heinicke started the majority of games for Washington last season, leading the team to a 7-8 record. He is known for his toughness and competitiveness.
However, Heinicke had a shaky performance in the preseason opener, completing only 5 of 13 passes for 49 yards. He also threw an interception.
NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “Williams looked really impressive tonight. He has a strong arm, good footwork, and a quick release. I think he could give Washington a much-needed upgrade at the quarterback position.”
If Williams continues to play well in the preseason, he could force Rivera to name him the starting quarterback for Week 1. However, Heinicke is a proven veteran with a lot of experience in Washington’s offense.
Ultimately, Rivera will have to make a decision based on what he believes gives the team the best chance to win games.
Demond Williams Jr.’s impressive preseason performance has put him in contention to be Washington’s starting quarterback. If he continues to play well, he could unseat Taylor Heinicke and lead the team into the 2022 season.
