Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Joe Milton III

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, April 3, 10:25 AM

The Dallas Cowboys are sending a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Milton has been in trade rumors all offseason long and is headed to Dallas to back up Dak Prescott now that Cooper Rush is with the Baltimore Ravens. Milton, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, flashed in his limited opportunity with New England as a rookie. In Week 18, the 25-year-old connected on 22 of his 29 passing attempts for 241 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He added 10 rushing yards and a score on the ground. While Milton still does not have a clear path to a starting role, he could be one of the top quarterbacks to stash in deep two-QB or Superflex leagues. Prescott has missed at least five games in three of his nine NFL seasons. Milton is arguably one of the most talented signal-callers in the NFL, but touch and accuracy have been a concern for the rocket-armed QB.