Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Skylar Thompson

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.

Tuesday, January 14, 2:44 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing free-agent quarterback Skylar Thompson on Tuesday, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Thompson, a 2022 seventh-round pick out of Kansas State, has played in 10 regular-season games (three starts) for the Miami Dolphins. Overall, he has completed 58.7% of his passes for 721 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. While the Steelers might have a quarterback issue to address this offseason, Thompson is clearly not going to be viewed as a serious candidate to start next season. The team is undecided on the futures of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, so Thompson could find his way into the QB2 or QB3 role for Mike Tomlin in 2025, though it's early in the process.