According to Roster Management System, Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke has restructured his contract. Heinicke took a pay cut recently from an expected $5 million base salary in 2024 to $1.21 million. His $1.32 million roster bonus, which was due just after the league year began last month, was instead classified as a signing bonus. His $40,000 per game active roster bonus was also removed from his contract. The reduction in the deal lowers Heinicke's cap number from $8.96 million to $4.53 million -- including a cash value of $2.53 million. Why is this a big deal? The Morning Shift explained earlier today.
“I like it because he is a veteran backup, and if something happens I think he’s a guy that kind of fits into this system kind of well.” Beau Morgan said
To Beau’s point the Falcons are now able to keep a still pretty reliable veteran backup quarterback, who should do a good job helping Kirk Cousins prepare on a weekly basis, can still help win the team a game in a pinch, and hopefully will be more successful in a Zac Robinson offense. On top of all of that, the Falcons now get to keep Heinicke at a cheaper cost.
The Falcons will most likely still draft a quarterback in the later rounds of April’s draft, but now instead of that guy having to be the backup he can be the emergency quarterback, and have the proper time to sit back and develop.