Last Wednesday night, Taylor Heinicke was watching Netflix when he got a call from Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris informing him that he had been traded to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Oh, that’s funny. Because I was just watching Jim Harbaugh,” Heinicke told Morris.
Interestingly, Heinicke was watching a 90-minute documentary about Connor Stalions and the University of Michigan’s sign-stealing controversy from last season. Less than a day later, he met Harbaugh and learned what was expected of him.
“Meeting Jim, I think he exceeds every expectation. Really fun to be around, so excited to work for him,” Heinicke said about Harbaugh, who led Michigan to the national title last season but was suspended for three games because of the sign-stealing allegations. Harbaugh has continued to deny knowing about Stallions’ actions.
Heinicke, who will back up Justin Herbert, took part in his first practice on Monday as the Chargers started preparing for their opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Chargers are Heinicke’s fifth team in seven seasons. He started the 2020 NFC wild-card playoff game for Washington against Tampa Bay after Alex Smith was injured.
Heinicke was 26 of 44 for 306 yards, with one touchdown pass and one interception in the 31-23 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions.
Heinicke’s best season was with Washington in 2021, when he started 15 games and threw for 3,419 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He took over the starting role after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his hip in Week 1 against the Chargers.
“It is kind of crazy because that was the game that projected me into a better career. I had that whole season and then nine games the following season. So, that kind of started it all,” Heinicke said.
Heinicke joined Atlanta as a free agent in 2023 and started five games. However, his position with the Falcons became uncertain after Kirk Cousins signed with the team and Michael Penix Jr. was drafted in the first round.
Heinicke provides the Chargers with an experienced backup in case Herbert gets injured. Herbert missed two weeks during training camp due to a plantar fascia injury in his right foot, but he has practiced for the past two weeks.
Herbert was sidelined for the last four games of the previous season because of a finger injury on his throwing hand. He has also dealt with rib and non-throwing shoulder injuries in the past two seasons.
“I like him and his body of work,” Harbaugh said about Heinicke. “When he quarterbacks a team, they are competitive. He throws with good accuracy and plays his game.”
Harbaugh also made it clear that his expectations for Heinicke and Easton Stick are different from those for Herbert.
The addition of Heinicke and watching Stick throughout the preseason made Harbaugh realize that one approach doesn’t fit all quarterbacks, and a different game plan is needed if Heinicke steps in.
Heinicke is fine with this approach.
“Justin has the arm talent that Easton and I don’t have, and that’s just the truth,” Heinicke said. “So, if we were to try to play like him, I don’t think that’s our best football. I’m glad they’ve recognized that and that we just need to play our best game.”
