Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Daniel Jones

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.

Monday, June 23, 3:07 PM

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is the QB1 for now heading into training camp after Anthony Richardson (shoulder) aggravated his surgically-repaired right shoulder in OTAs and then missed minicamp. Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open QB competition. There is no timetable for Richardson's return to on-field activities, but he says that he'll be ready for the start of training camp at the end of July. Not only is Richardson going to need to stay healthy all summer, but he's probably going to need to outplay Jones in order to win the starting gig going into Week 1 in September. Nothing is finalized yet, but Jones' fantasy stock as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues is rising with Richardson continuing to be set back by injuries.