Report: Chargers to acquire QB Taylor Heinicke from Falcons

Field Level Media|published: Thu 29th August, 12:12 2024

NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons

Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) passes the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to acquire quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick, The Athletic reported.

Heinicke will battle Easton Stick to become the backup to Chargers star QB Justin Herbert. He would have been the emergency third quarterback in Atlanta behind Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons at the start of free agency, and Atlanta selected Penix with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Heinicke, 31, was 1-3 as the starter in his first season with Atlanta in 2023, completing 54.4 percent of his passes for 890 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

He is 13-15-1 overall with 6,635 passing yards, 39 TDs and 28 interceptions in 38 games (29 starts) with the Houston Texans (2017), Carolina Panthers (2018), Washington (2020-22) and Atlanta.

--Field Level Media