Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Taylor Heinicke

Tuesday, April 8, 2:12 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith last month before signing him to a two-year $75 million contract this week. The move united Smith back with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, a reconnection the two are excited about. "I think there is unfinished business, and I think when people think about my story, you know, Coach Carroll was a big part of that," Smith said. "He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have. He saw the hard work that I was putting in, he saw the things behind the scenes that I do that allow me to get this opportunity." Smith enjoyed the best season of his career under Carroll in 2022, passing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. While Smith will be on the fantasy football radar in Superflex and two-QB leagues, he'll likely be a fringe starter in single-QB setups in a rebuilding Raiders' offense. However, tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers give him formidable weapons to put together a solid passing attack.

Thursday, March 13, 9:30 PM

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.