Who Should I Start? Jameis Winston or Taylor Heinicke

Thursday, July 24, 1:04 PM

SI.com's Patricia Traina reports that New York Giants quarterbacks Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart were splitting reps in 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Thursday. Winston appeared to be the No. 3 QB during workouts this spring at OTAs, but at least on Thursday, it was more of an even split under center behind starter Russell Wilson. This could vary on a day-by-day basis in training camp, but as things stand early on, it looks like it will be an even competition between Winston and Dart for the backup job in the Big Apple. Winston, 31, clearly has the edge given his experience in the NFL, but if Dart looks up to the task in camp and the preseason, it's possible that the G-Men look to trade Winston to a QB-needy team before the regular season. Winston has developed a reputation for being a happy-go-lucky gunslinger that racks up the turnovers.

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.