Taylor Heinicke is heading to Los Angeles. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Falcons are buying and selling the quarterback to the Chargers. Atlanta will obtain a conditional sixth-round choose in return.
We heard earlier this month that the Falcons had been eyeing a Heinicke commerce. Whereas the veteran represented the staff’s lone holdover on the place, his future was unsure after the Falcons revamped their depth chart this offseason.
First, the entrance workplace signed Kirk Cousins to a profitable contract, and so they later shocked many after they chosen Michael Penix Jr. within the first spherical. That left Heinicke with out a clear position on the staff.
Whereas the Falcons usually opted for 3 energetic QBs in 2023 whereas making the most of the league’s emergency quarterback spot, it sounded just like the staff most popular to stash their QB3 on the follow squad for the 2024 marketing campaign. Atlanta in the end carried Heinicke on the 53-man roster by way of remaining roster cuts, however they’ll now transfer ahead with solely a pair of QBs on their energetic roster.
Whereas Heinicke was pushed off the roster in Atlanta, it’s not essentially a mirrored image of his standing within the league. The previous UDFA had a profitable two-year stint in Washington between 2021 and 2022, guiding his squad to a 12-11-1 report as a starter. That efficiency helped earn him a two-year, $14M take care of his hometown Falcons final offseason, the place he was anticipated to offer former third-round choose Desmond Ridder with some competitors.
Heinicke in the end acquired 4 begins for Atlanta, going 1-3 whereas finishing a career-low 54.4% of his passes. The veteran took a pay minimize from $5M to $1.21M to stay in Atlanta for 2024, however now he’ll be incomes that decreased wage in Los Angeles.
The Chargers had been solely carrying a pair of QBs following remaining cuts, with Easton Stick lined as much as be the QB2 behind Justin Herbert. Stick, a former fifth-round choose, has spent his complete profession with the Chargers, and he lastly acquired an prolonged look whereas filling in for Herbert in 2023.
Whereas the Chargers went 0-4 in his 4 begins, Stick nonetheless managed to finish 63.8% of his passes for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Heinicke will present the group with a bit extra beginning expertise behind Herbert, nevertheless it’s unsure how the depth chart will in the end shake out.
