Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings, with Norv Turner as offensive coordinator, Taylor Heinicke received his first taste of NFL football. A year after not appearing in a regular season game, Heinicke suffered an “off the field” ankle injury causing him to miss a majority of his second year. Just prior to the 2017 season, Heinicke was released by Minnesota.
In the following year, Heinicke spent time with both the New England Patriots and Houston Texans organizations before finally getting his first opportunity to perform in a regular season game. Starting the second half of a Monday night Christmas matchup, Heinicke sustained a concussion on his first possession after completing his lone pass attempt.