Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Bryce Young

Tuesday, August 26, 8:05 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers have released quarterback Taylor Heinicke, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Heinicke was outplayed in the preseason by Trey Lance, who has made the team and will serve as the backup to Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old Heinicke has played seven seasons in the NFL and made 29 starts. He's been a capable backup for stretches of his career and should be able to find a new home rather quickly. For fantasy purposes, a Herbert injury would now make Lance a priority waiver-wire addition due to his dual-threat ability at the quarterback position.

Wednesday, December 3, 11:09 AM

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that he expects the Carolina Panthers to pick up quarterback Bryce Young's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but that there is uncertainty about Young's future in Carolina beyond his rookie contract. The number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Young has rebounded from a horrendous rookie season over the past two years, most notably leading Carolina to a 7-5 record in his starts this season. However, questions remain about the 24-year-old's true franchise-leading upside. Across 12 starts in 2025, Young has completed 63.4% of his pass attempts for 2,337 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He hasn't exactly had an amazing supporting cast around him in Carolina, but Young has also averaged an extremely underwhelming six yards per pass attempt across his 42 career NFL games. It appears as though the Panthers are committed to Young in the short term, but remain in wait-and-see mode as far as handing him a contract extension.