Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Jaxson Dart

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.

Thursday, May 15, 10:05 PM

ESPN's Jordan Ranaan writes that if all goes well with New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson as the starter and he stays healthy, rookie first-round QB Jaxson Dart will sit and redshirt in his first year in the NFL. If things don't go well and the Giants are losing, or if Wilson gets hurt, Dart is expected to find his way into the lineup. The 6-foot-2, 224-pound 22-year-old has the size and skills to succeed in the NFL, but he lacks a true wow characteristic and will probably benefit from sitting and learning in his first year in the league. The G-Men have extra QB insurance in veteran former first-rounder Jameis Winston, too, which means Dart could be the backup if Wilson gets injured or benched. Even if Dart does end up making starts in 2025, he won't really be on the redraft radar in fantasy as the Giants prioritize his long-term development.