The Los Angeles Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Not only is starting quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) recovering from plantar fasciitis in his foot, but backup Easton Stick regressed in training camp and the preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke will be an upgrade at the QB position behind Herbert entering the regular season next week. In Atlanta, the Falcons were expected all along to try and trade Heinicke after taking rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in April. Heinicke made his NFL debut back in 2017 with the Houston Texans and has appeared in 38 games (29 starts) since then with four different teams. His best year came in 2021 with Washington, when he threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks on 321 pass attempts over 16 games (15 starts).
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for 114 yards and rushed twice for zero yards in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Saturday. It was an uneventful preseason game for the 31-year-old veteran, with no touchdown passes on 8-for-16 passing. Heinicke seems locked in as the QB3 on Atlanta's roster, but with the Falcons holding out Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the offseason, he should get plenty of snaps to see how he fares during the rest of the preseason. Heinicke will look to turn things around in the preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke was 4-for-11 in pass attempts Friday night in a 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The veteran quarterback was the second to enter the game after rookie sensation Michael Penix Jr., with 6:34 remaining in the second quarter. The veteran signal-caller was partly victimized by playing with second and third-string offensive linemen and skill players, making his poor passing line slightly more understandable. Nevertheless, Heinicke still has a clear lead in his battle with recent signee Nathan Rourke for the No. 3 quarterback job.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke took a pay cut recently from an expected $5 million base salary in 2024 to $1.21 million, according to Roster Management System. His $1.32 million roster bonus, which was due just after the league year began last month, was instead classified as a signing bonus. His $40,000 per game active roster bonus was also removed from his contract. The reduction in his deal lowers Heinicke's salary cap number from $8.96 million to $4.53 million, including a cash value of $2.53 million. If Atlanta were to release him, he would cost $3.32 million in dead money with only a cap savings of $1.21 million. The 31-year-old got a chance to start in 2023 when Desmond Ridder was benched, but Heinicke did nothing to separate himself and also got hurt. He'll enter 2024 as the backup to starter Kirk Cousins.
Falcons Seeking Upgrade Over Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder
The Atlanta Falcons finished 21st in the NFL in 2023 in EPA per dropback with quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder, according to TruMedia. Only six teams threw more than Atlanta's 17 interceptions, and Ridder added 12 lost fumbles. The Falcons appear to be just a quarterback away from being true contenders, and the team is primed to search for an upgrade over Heinicke and Ridder in 2024, either through the draft, free agency or the trade market under new head coach Raheem Morris. Depending on the signal-caller that the Falcons add this offseason, their offense should be expected to be much more aggressive under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, which should benefit key offensive pieces such as running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London.
Taylor Heinicke Inactive, Desmond Ridder To Start Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) is officially inactive for Week 18 versus the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable and was optimistic about his availability, but it appears that he wasn't quite healthy enough to play. In his absence, Desmond Ridder will return to the starting quarterback role. The 24-year-old has appeared in 14 games this season, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,545 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also has 193 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 31 sacks, and six lost fumbles. Fantasy managers should view Ridder as a fringe QB2 option heading into Sunday's contest.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) is hopeful that he can play against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, he'll be monitored during pregame warmups before the team makes an official decision on his status. The 30-year-old has struggled over the last two weeks, completing just 53 percent of his passes for 392 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He remains off the fantasy radar for the time being.
The Atlanta Falcons have listed quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday in New Orleans against the Saints. Head coach Arthur Smith will put Heinicke through a workout prior to Sunday's game before deciding whether he'll be active. Heinicke injured his left ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Chicago Bears but was able to put in limited practices this week. If the 30-year-old doesn't feel good during pre-game workouts on Sunday, the Falcons will roll with Desmond Ridder in the regular season finale. Whoever starts under center for the Falcons will be a low-cost, low-upside DFS play at the QB position in a tough matchup on the road against the Saints defense.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) was once again a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This now back-to-back days that Heinicke was been limited during practice. At the moment, fantasy managers should consider Heinicke as questionable for Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran signal-caller was horrendous last week. Heinicke threw three interceptions before being pulled out of the game. Desmond Ridder didn't do any better under center, so the Falcons don't have a good option for Sunday. Regardless of who starts, neither quarterback is worth a look in DFS contests or any fantasy championships.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said that quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) will be limited in Wednesday's practice. The fact that Heinicke will be able to practice on Wednesday is a good sign that he'll be available to play in the must-win Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints on the road. The 30-year-old veteran went just 10-for-29 for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in the Week 17 loss to the Chicago Bears, but he did help his fantasy line with a rushing score. If Heinicke is healthy enough to play this weekend, he's expected to get the starting nod over Desmond Ridder, who has already been benched twice this year. At best, Heinicke would be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues on Sunday against New Orleans.
Taylor Heinicke
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Chargers
