Johnathan Walker:Falcons trading backup QB Taylor Heinicke to Chargers

Taylor Heinicke is Johnathan Walkerheaded to the West Coast after losing the battle for the Atlanta Falcons’ backup quarterback job to Michael Penix Jr.

Heinicke is being traded to the Los Angeles Chargers, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the trade.

Heinicke played in five games in 2023, his lone season with the Falcons. He got four starts, going 1-3.

The journeyman quarterback has also spent time with the Houston Texans (2017), Carolina Panthers (2018) and Washington Commanders (2020-2022).

The 31-year-old has started 29 games, 24 of those starts coming with Washington. He tallied a 12-11-1 record in the nation’s capital.

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Heinicke has 6,635 passing yards, 39 touchdowns and 28 interceptions and an 84.2 passer rating in 38 career games.

The Heinicke move is the Chargers’ second trade of the day. Los Angeles acquired cornerback Elijah Molden earlier Wednesday from the Tennessee Titans in exchange of a 2026 seventh-round pick, the team announced.

Why Chargers traded for Taylor Heinicke

The Chargers were in desperate need of a backup quarterback for Justin Herbert.

Career backup Easton Stick underwhelmed in preseason action and went 0-4 in four starts last season for the Chargers.

Heinicke has starting experience and has shown the ability to manage an offense when a team’s primary starter is sidelined.

Herbert has battled a plantar fascia injury during training camp and the preseason. But he's since returned to practice and is expected to be available Week 1.

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