Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Luis Perez

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).

Saturday, August 17, 11:22 PM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Luis Perez completed 13 of his 20 pass attempts for 78 yards, no scores, and no interceptions in the Chargers second preseason game. He took one sack and lost a fumble. Perez and Easton Stick are presumably competing for the backup quarterback job in Los Angeles, a role that could be immediately relevant since Justin Herbert is dealing with a foot injury and Week 1 quickly approaches. Perez was very much a game manager in this one, and that's more or less his upside. Even if he gets the job and plays in the regular season, he won't be much of a fantasy asset.