The Atlanta Falcons have made some significant changes to their quarterback position ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
After signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, the team decided to trade away Desmond Ridder, who started 13 games for the franchise last year, going 6-7 before being benched for Taylor Heinicke.
ESPN’s Michael Rothstein reported this week that Heinicke’s base salary for the upcoming season has been slashed from $5 million to $1.21 million, with the removal of a roster bonus that would have rewarded him $40,000 for each game he was active. This adjustment comes in the wake of Cousins’ acquisition, as the Falcons felt Heinicke was earning too much as a backup quarterback.
With aspirations of a successful 2024 campaign and a playoff berth after six consecutive seasons of missing the postseason, the Falcons are positioning themselves to have a competitive roster. While Heinicke may not be a full-time starter, his experience and ability to win games when needed make him a valuable asset to the team, especially considering Cousins’ injury history and age.
Despite Heinicke’s pay cut, the Falcons are not putting all their faith in him as the sole backup option. Head coach Raheem Morris has stated that the team is looking to add another quarterback before the season kicks off in September, whether through free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft. This also leaves open the possibility of Atlanta releasing Heinicke with a lower penalty if a better option becomes available.
The Falcons are taking a cautious approach by keeping Heinicke on the roster as insurance while also seeking to bolster their quarterback depth. As they aim to make a push toward the playoffs in 2024, having a reliable backup like Heinicke could prove to be a wise decision in the long run.
