The Los Angeles Chargers and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke agreed to a one-year contract extension worth up to $6.2 million on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Heinicke will return to L.A. for a second season to back up starter Justin Herbert. In his first year with the Chargers in 2024, Heinicke only saw action in four games (no starts) and went only 3-for-5 for 28 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. The 31-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion has already played for five different NFL teams in his seven years in the league. His best year came in 2021 with the Washington Commanders, when he played in 16 games (15 starts) and threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Heinicke has started 29 games in his seven seasons, but he's unlikely to see much work again in 2025 behind Herbert, who is one of the toughest QBs in football.
Mar 13, 2025 9:30 PM EST
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).
Aug 28, 2024 8:22 PM EST
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.
Aug 18, 2024 2:34 AM EST
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.
Aug 10, 2024 3:08 AM EST
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.
Apr 2, 2024 2:21 PM EST
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.
Jan 7, 2024 11:38 AM EST
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.
Jan 7, 2024 10:53 AM EST
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.
Jan 5, 2024 1:16 PM EST
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.
Jan 4, 2024 9:20 PM EST
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.
Jan 3, 2024 12:32 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said that quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) will do everything he can to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the division-rival New Orleans Saints this Sunday. The team hopes to know by Friday and will prepare Desmond Ridder to start, just in case. Heinicke came down with a left-ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the Chicago Bears and was benched late in the game after going 10-for-29 for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The 30-year-old added 46 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Falcons QB situation has been dreadful this year. The fact that they are even considering Heinicke for another start this weekend is a testament to how underwhelming Ridder has been. Whoever starts under center for Atlanta against the Saints in a must-win game will be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues.
Jan 1, 2024 2:13 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke struggled to find much success at all during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. The veteran quarterback completed 10-of-29 passing attempts for 163 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the loss. It was an awful day for Heinicke who was benched for Desmond Ridder. It wasn't any better for Ridder who almost immediately threw an interception. It's uncertain who is going to start for the Falcons next week versus the New Orleans Saints. Regardless, neither quarterback is going to be a viable streaming option in any fantasy formats.
Dec 31, 2023 8:36 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The veteran signal-caller was limited in practice earlier this week due to an ankle issue. However, it appears Heinicke is fine and should suit up for Sunday's game. Last week, Heinicke threw for 229 yards and a touchdown in the win. He does have a favorable matchup against Chicago's defense, but remains a bottom tier streaming option for Week 17.
Dec 30, 2023 5:36 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This is now back-to-back days that Heinicke has been limited in practice. Possibly, the Falcons are just being cautious ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. If Heinicke sits, Desmond Ridder is expected to start under center this weekend. Ridder was benched ahead of last week's game after his recent rough stretch of play. He wouldn't a viable streaming option even against the shaky Bears defense.
Dec 28, 2023 9:15 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice. Heinicke came away from last Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts nursing an ankle injury but his ability to practice on a limited basis is a positive sign as the Falcons gear up to face off against the Chicago Bears in Week 17. Keep an eye on Thursday and Friday's practice reports to see if Heinicke gets upgraded to "full" on either day. If he ultimately ends up not being able to play on Sunday, it would be Desmond Ridder back under center in Week 17.
Dec 27, 2023 9:01 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke was tasked with drawing the start under center for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. The veteran signal-caller was able to hold his own during this game. He completed 23-of-33 passing attempts for 229 yards with a touchdown in the win over the Colts. Heinicke nearly threw an interception, but it was dropped. He also fumbled the ball, but was able to recover it. Heinicke did a nice job of managing the game and helped keep the Falcons alive in the playoff picture. Fantasy managers should consider Heinicke a low-end QB2 for next week's matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Dec 24, 2023 4:20 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke was recently named the starter for the rest of the season. The veteran signal-caller will take over for Desmond Ridder for the final few games. In his lone start, Heinicke completed 21-of-38 passing attempts for 268 yards and one touchdown with one interception against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9. This weekend, he'll get a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. A defensive unit that has held opposing quarterbacks to 15 fantasy points or less in each of their last six games. That being said, Heinicke will be a desperation streaming option for this weekend's games.
Dec 21, 2023 6:39 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said the plan is for quarterback Taylor Heinicke to be the team's starting QB for the rest of the season. The Falcons benched Desmond Ridder for the second time this year after losing to the Carolina Panthers in Week 15, and they have no intentions of going back to him this season. Heinicke has been marginally better than Ridder in the limited action he's seen in 2023, going 41-for-74 (55.4%) for 498 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in three games (two starts), so fantasy managers shouldn't expect the Falcons' offense to drastically take a turn for the better to close out the year. The 30-year-old veteran will start this Sunday against the visiting Indianapolis Colts and will be no better than a low-end QB2 option in superflex formats.
Dec 20, 2023 12:39 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that quarterback Taylor Heinicke will make the start over Desmond Ridder this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, according to a team source. It's the second time this year Ridder has been sent to the bench, this time coming on the heels of his sixth red-zone turnover of 2023 and 16th total turnover in the loss to the Carolina Panthers. Heinicke lost both of his starts in Weeks 9 and 10 to the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, going 29-for-53 for 323 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Atlanta, now 6-8, is turning to Heinicke to try and save their season and possibly head coach Arthur Smith's job. Among QBs with more than 50 attempts in 2023, Heinicke is 18th in EPA per dropback (.02), 30th in passer rating (84.2) and 48th in completion percentage (55.4).
Dec 19, 2023 12:02 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. He was listed as questionable after logging three limited practices this past week. Despite suiting up, the 30-year-old was benched during the bye week and will return to the No. 2 quarterback role behind Desmond Ridder. He looked solid during his two starts, completing 54.7 percent of his passes for 323 passing yards, 54 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Nov 26, 2023 11:40 AM EST
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