Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Justin Fields

Wednesday, August 28, 8:22 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Not only is starting quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) recovering from plantar fasciitis in his foot, but backup Easton Stick regressed in training camp and the preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke will be an upgrade at the QB position behind Herbert entering the regular season next week. In Atlanta, the Falcons were expected all along to try and trade Heinicke after taking rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in April. Heinicke made his NFL debut back in 2017 with the Houston Texans and has appeared in 38 games (29 starts) since then with four different teams. His best year came in 2021 with Washington, when he threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks on 321 pass attempts over 16 games (15 starts).

Tuesday, November 19, 12:28 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he wanted to use quarterback Justin Fields in more packages in the Week 11 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers stalled out on too many of their third downs on offense. "We have two starting quarterbacks," Smith said Tuesday. "It's a very unique situation." Fields only carried the ball twice for 17 yards in the 18-16 win over Baltimore and has rarely seen the field since Russell Wilson took over under center. To be fair, Wilson has looked much better running Pittsburgh's offense than most people expected after missing the start of the 2024 season due to a nagging calf injury. Fields could get more involved in Week 12 on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, but unless Wilson misses more time with an injury, Fields will be off the radar in single-QB fantasy leagues.