Saturday, September 21

NFL Trade Rumors: Taylor Heinicke to Chargers; Falcons Get Conditional 6th-Round Pick

Julia StumbaughAugust 28, 2024

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images

The Los Angeles Chargers have actually obtained quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons, Dianna Russini and Josh Kendall reported on Wednesday for The Athletic.

The Falcons got a conditional sixth-round choice in return, per Russini.

Heinicke was formerly noted 3rd on the Falcons’ depth chart behind seasoned starter Kirk Cousins and 2024 first-rounder Michael Penix Jr.

He will now be anticipated to take on Easton Stick to support Justin Herbert in Los Angeles.

Heinicke is set to make a base pay of $1.21 million in 2024. The Falcons will conserve that much towards the cap, while handling his $3.32 million finalizing reward as dead cash, per Over the Cap.

The trade is especially noteworthy offered Herbert’s injury history, consisting of the season-ending finger injury that triggered him to miss out on the last month of the 2023 season.

The Chargers revealed on Aug. 1 that Herbert had actually been identified with an ideal foot plantar fascia injury which would require using a strolling boot for 2 weeks.

The group stated at the time that Herbert was anticipated to be prepared to handle the Las Vegas Raiders when Week 1 action started on Sept. 8.

Herbert made no preseason looks for the Chargers, he returned to group practice last week.

Previous Charger Dan Fouts stated on Saturday that Herbert states his foot “has actually recovered totally and is no longer a concern” (h/t Fernando Ramirez of the Sporting Tribune.)

Herbert might be on track to play in Week 1, however if he is required to miss out on at any time in 2024 the Chargers might desire a knowledgeable backup who might take his location.

Because case Heinicke, who has 38 NFL looks and 29 starts under his belt, would be a much better fit than Stick, who has actually made 6 looks and 4 starts for the Chargers in the 2020 and 2023 seasons.

Stick did not assist his case by finishing simply 45.5 percent of his passes and tossing 3 interceptions in 3 preseason looks for the Chargers.

It is not yet clear if Stick will stay on the Chargers’ 53-man lineup. Head coach Jim Harbaugh provided a noncommittal response on Tuesday regarding whether he was “pleased” with Stick’s development this offseason.

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