Who Should I Start? C.J. Beathard or Taylor Heinicke

Tuesday, August 27, 1:36 PM

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Tuesday that they have released quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin) with an injury settlement. Beathard was injured in the team's second preseason game and was released after losing the backup competition to former New England Patriots QB Mac Jones. Jones will now begin the 2024 regular season as the primary backup to starter Trevor Lawrence. The 30-year-old Beathard will now look for work as a veteran backup somewhere else, as long as he's healthy. Originally a third-round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 out of Iowa, Beathard is in his sixth NFL season. He spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville, going 49-for-66 (74.2 completion percentage) with 417 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in only 13 games played (one start).

Wednesday, August 28, 8:22 PM

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).