Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Spencer Rattler

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.

Monday, January 6, 2:22 AM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler finished his rookie season with another up-and-down performance in the team's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fifth-rounder out of South Carolina went 21-for-28 in the first half, completing a pass to 10 different receivers and throwing a touchdown to Dante Pettis along the way. However, he completed just five more passes after halftime, finishing 26-for-42 for 240 yards and the score. To his credit, he stayed free of any turnovers after throwing three picks and fumbling twice in his previous two starts. In his first year as a pro, Rattler saw far more playing time than expected when he was drafted while covering for Derek Carr's (hand) pair of multi-week absences due to injury. The rookie finishes with 1,317 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 57% completion rate.