Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Bo Nix

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.

Sunday, June 8, 1:34 PM

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw the second-most touchdown passes by a rookie QB in NFL history last year and could make even more progress in 2025, as he feels much more comfortable in his role going into his sophomore campaign. "I feel like I'm a lot further," Nix said. "Just spitting out play calls [is] a lot easier, and processing. It's a lot better. It's a lot more enjoyable not thinking right now as opposed to what I was doing last year. It's fun. It's fun to be in the know. It's fun to have a little bit more of an understanding of what's going on so I can be a little bit more beneficial to others and help them out along the way. I feel good. We're in a good spot." Nix is thinking less about footwork and mechanics and is able to react more quickly. In addition to being more comfortable in the same system, Nix has a new weapon in tight end Evan Engram, which should make him even more attractive as a midrange QB1 in fantasy.