Report: Chargers acquire Heinicke from Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons traded quarterback Taylor Heinicke to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick, sources tell Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Heinicke spent 2023 with Atlanta and made five appearances (four starts). The 31-year-old finished the campaign with five touchdown passes against four interceptions. He had an up-and-down 2024 preseason but managed to make the Falcons' initial 53-man roster as the No. 3 quarterback behind Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr. on the depth chart.
Heinicke brings 29 starts worth of experience to L.A. and will most likely back up star passer Justin Herbert. The Chargers also roster the unproven Easton Stick, who went 0-4 with three TDs to one pick while replacing an injured Herbert in 2023.
Herbert is coming off an injury-plagued campaign in which he appeared in only 13 games. He sustained a foot injury earlier in August but returned to practice on Aug. 19.
Heinicke began his NFL career as an undrafted rookie in 2015 with the Minnesota Vikings but didn't make his first regular-season appearance until 2017 with the Houston Texans. He's also played for the Carolina Panthers (2018) and Washington Commanders (2020-22).