Who Should I Start? Nate Sudfeld or Taylor Heinicke

Friday, August 9, 3:30 AM

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld completed just 13 of 24 passes for 96 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's preseason opener against the New York Giants. He also rushed three times for an additional 14 yards on the ground. The 30-year-old played most of the game, only ceding reps to Hendon Hooker (head) in the third quarter. (Hooker departed after two drives and entered concussion protocol, bringing Sudfeld back into the game.) Neither player led a touchdown drive, and while Hooker was quite impressive on the ground, his new injury could give Sudfeld the early advantage in the fight to be Jared Goff's backup. If Hooker is expected to miss time, Detroit could add another quarterback to compete with Sudfeld ahead of the 2024 campaign.

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.