Taylor Heinicke. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Chargers acquiring QB Taylor Heinicke is a home run

By Trevor Woods | Last updated Aug 28, 2024 9:08 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was sidelined from practice for over two weeks in August as he recovered from a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. During the time Herbert was out, Easton Stick took first-team reps and started all three preseason games.

Stick didn't fare well in preseason, going 25-of-55 for 303 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a fumbled snap on the one-yard line. The Chargers offense didn't score a touchdown in the first two preseason games. Based on Stick's preseason, it was fairly evident that the Chargers needed someone else in the quarterback room, someone they believe can help win them games if Herbert is ever sidelined for any duration.

On Wednesday, the Chargers decided to bolster the quarterback position via trade, dealing a conditional sixth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke was the odd man out this offseason after signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

Falcons trade QB Taylor Heinicke to Chargers. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/G3tV4WHM2S
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2024

Heinicke, 31, has a 13-15-1 record as a starting quarterback and has thrown for 6,635 yards, 39 touchdowns and 28 interceptions with a 62.5 completion percentage. Heinicke's also a threat to scramble evidenced by his 588 career rushing yards at a 5.3 yards per carry clip. Stick, on the other hand, has just four career starts, all losses.

Heinicke's entering his tenth NFL season and the Chargers are the seventh team he's played for. Heinicke started 24 games for the Washington Commanders, four for the Atlanta Falcons and one for the Carolina Panthers. Heinicke admitted earlier this week that he was thinking about his future and being on the roster bubble in Atlanta.

"It's one of the most stressful times," Heinicke said on Saturday. "It's really the worst time of the NFL for all these guys, just kind of not knowing where you're going to be."

The stress should be over for Heinicke, for now at least. He has a new home and if he hits the ground running he'll be backing up one of the best quarterbacks in the league with a head coach who was once an NFL QB as well.

Trevor Woods

Trevor Woods covers the Los Angeles Chargers and AFC West for Yardbarker. Trevor also covers the Michigan Wolverines for SB Nation, including coverage at the NFL Combine, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, and National Championship. You can find him on X at @WoodsFootball.

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