Taylor Heinicke is heading out west.
The Los Angeles Chargers, in need of depth behind franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, are acquiring Heinicke in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. Atlanta is getting back a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick from Los Angeles which will be based off Heinicke's playing time.
Heinicke remaining on the Falcons' roster behind Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. at Tuesday's roster deadline was somewhat surprising. However, they found a team in need as the Chargers saw backup Easton Stick struggle mightily in the preseason and cut Luis Perez on Tuesday.
Herbert has made it back to practice from a bout with plantar fasciitis, but head coach Jim Harbaugh needed a more reliable backup than Stick heading into 2024.
Heinicke hardly plays safe, but he has experience and a track record of lifting a squad when he comes on in relief.
Having played for the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington and Falcons, Heinicke has played in 38 games and started in 29 with a 13-15-1 record. He's thrown for 6,635 yards, 39 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his career. He didn't light it up this preseason, completing 45.5% of his 44 passes for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
However, Stick likewise completed 45.5% of his preseason passes with a glaring three interceptions to go with 303 yards and one TD. Stick also saw significant time last season when Herbert underwent season-ending finger surgery. The Chargers went 0-4 with Stick at the helm.
So, there's presumably a new QB2 heading out to the coast to join Herbert, Harbaugh and the Bolts.
