Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Taylor Heinicke

Tuesday, June 10, 1:31 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who skipped out on voluntary organized team activities, is present for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cousins would prefer a trade out of town so that he can have a shot to start somewhere else, but if he remains in Atlanta, he'll open the 2025 season as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup. The Falcons continue to say they plan on keeping Cousins. The 36-year-old four-time Pro Bowler didn't look right in his return from a torn Achilles the year prior, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts before being benched late in the year for the rookie Penix. Now that the Steelers have officially signed Aaron Rodgers, there aren't any obvious landing spots for Cousins. For now, he's stuck in QB purgatory and is off the fantasy radar.

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.