Who Should I Start? Nick Mullens or Taylor Heinicke

Monday, January 8, 1:35 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens put on a show in the Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday by going 30-for-44 for 396 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked four times for a loss of 37 yards and ran twice for eight yards. Mullens ended up being Minnesota's best option under center down the stretch after Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles, and the 28-year-old QB finished with a 67.57% completion percentage, 1,306 passing yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in five appearances (three starts). He had 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in all three of his starts, although turnovers were clearly an issue. With Cousins' future in doubt in Minnesota, Mullens' late-season performance could at least put him in consideration for the starting job in 2024 if the Vikes move on from Cousins this offseason.

Tuesday, April 2, 2:21 PM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke took a pay cut recently from an expected $5 million base salary in 2024 to $1.21 million, according to Roster Management System. His $1.32 million roster bonus, which was due just after the league year began last month, was instead classified as a signing bonus. His $40,000 per game active roster bonus was also removed from his contract. The reduction in his deal lowers Heinicke's salary cap number from $8.96 million to $4.53 million, including a cash value of $2.53 million. If Atlanta were to release him, he would cost $3.32 million in dead money with only a cap savings of $1.21 million. The 31-year-old got a chance to start in 2023 when Desmond Ridder was benched, but Heinicke did nothing to separate himself and also got hurt. He'll enter 2024 as the backup to starter Kirk Cousins.