The Atlanta Falcons have their latest changing of the guard under center as the team moves on from Taylor Heinicke, trading him to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick. The deal significantly continues an active year for the Falcons regarding quarterback movement.
Less than a year later, the Falcons have completed a full revamp in quarterback depth. Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, and Logan Woodside all move on to make room for others. Their newest look includes Kirk Cousins as their starter, backed by rookie Michael Penix. And soon, they will bring in another QB either to the active roster or practice squad.
Heinicke’s New Home
Taylor Heinicke is on his way to the Chargers, where he is going to be a backup to Justin Herbert. The Falcons and Chargers finalized the conditions of the trade conditional sixth-round pick in return. The conditions of that pick might not have been specified as yet, but this trade fills Los Angeles with a good backup, which they needed.
It’s been quite a whirlwind for the quarterback situation of the Falcons. Last season, they had Desmond Ridder at the helm with Heinicke as the veteran backup. But after the struggles of Ridder and the firing of head coach Arthur Smith, big changes were in store. Heinicke’s exit is the final big piece to a significant shake-up.
Heinicke’s Impact
Heinicke was a terrific backup and spot starter, although his 2023 season wasn’t overly remarkable. He had a history of rising to the occasion when called upon, and that made him very valuable. He had become too experienced and expensive to be no more than the third quarterback in Atlanta, and a trade of him seemed inevitable.
This is about getting a solid backup for Justin Herbert, which is important because the injuries can happen at any time. Getting Heinicke on board creates room to breathe easily if that happens. The Chargers didn’t make any move until after 53-man roster cutdowns, and this is a great indication they got the best deal possible in the process.
Ahead for the Falcons
Now that Heinicke is off to Los Angeles, the Falcons will have one less quarterback. They need a third option to flesh them out. John Paddock spent part of this summer with the team but was not signed to the practice squad. That would suggest the Falcons are looking elsewhere. A setup for the Falcons featuring Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix isn’t bad at all. Cousins brings experience and stability, while Penix is seen as a possible long-term solution. It’s unquestionably an upgraded quarterback room for the team, even though Heinicke’s departure does mark the end of an era.
The trade of Taylor Heinicke is one move between the Falcons and the Chargers. The quarterback room in Atlanta is seeing some movement, while in Los Angeles, they get a reliable backup moving forward with the season. Both teams will pay close attention to these changes in moves that will show how they impact their performances.
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