NFL analyst lists Falcons quarterback as possible trade candidate

The Atlanta Falcons played musical chairs with their quarterbacks last season, switching back and forth from Desmond Ridder to Taylor Heinicke from week to week. Ridder started 13 games and Heinicke started four, but neither could solidify the starting job.

It was no surprise to see the team heavily invest in the quarterback position over the 2024 offseason. The Falcons traded Ridder, signed Kirk Cousins, and drafted Micahel Penix Jr. in the first round. While Heinicke took a pay cut to remain in Atlanta, some are questioning whether or not he will make the 53-man roster.

Eric Edhold of NFL.com listed 15 players who could be cut or traded ahead of next week’s 53-man roster deadline and Heinicke was mentioned as a potential trade candidate:

There are multiple teams with QB2 questions, and even a few that might not be in love with their starters, which makes me think there could be a QB trade or two this preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke makes sense as a potential candidate to be moved. He has been an effective spot starter the past several years, even nearly out-dueling Tom Brady in a playoff game in what was only his second career start. Heinicke didn’t have much of a chance to succeed last season in Atlanta, thrust into and out of the starting lineup, but he proved himself pretty capable of stepping in when needed previously in Washington. — Eric Edholm, NFL.com

There’s nothing wrong with keeping Heinicke if the Falcons value having a quality third QB, but if he’s not going to make the 53-man roster, it would make sense to move him.

Heinicke has a 2024 salary cap hit of $4.53 million, an affordable price for a solid backup quarterback. By trading the 31-year-old, the Falcons would free up $1.2 million and incur a dead cap hit of $3.3 million. Edholm mentions the Chargers, Rams, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Packers as possible suitors for Heinicke.

Regardless of what happens with the veteran QB, the Falcons are comfortable with Michael Penix Jr. as their primary backup to Cousins. Penix played well in the preseason opener and it appears the coaching staff has seen enough of the rookie, ruling him out for the final two preseason games.

Heinicke could play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars if the team wants to maximize his trade value ahead of the NFL cut deadline on August 27.

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