Falcons' Taylor Heinicke takes pay cut to back up Kirk Cousins

Taylor Heinicke is staying with the Atlanta Falcons after taking a pay cut. 

According to ESPN's Micheal Rothstein, Heinicke's $5 million base salary in 2024 is now $1.21 million. His $1.32 million roster bonus is now a signing bonus.

Additionally, the Falcons completely removed his $40,000 per game active roster bonus from his contract. 

Rothstein adds that Heinicke's restructured deal takes his 2024 cap hit from $8.96 million to $4.53 million with a $2.53 million cash value.

Heinicke, 31, initially joined the Falcons ahead of the 2023 season as Desmond Ridder's primary backup but ended up starting four games where he completed 54.4 percent of his passes for 890 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions.

The former 2015 undrafted free-agent quarterback will now look to back up newly signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins next fall. 

"I don't want to limit him to what he can be, but he has shown that he's been an elite backup in this league," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Heinicke, via ESPN. "When you're talking about an elite backup, a guy that comes in the game and can win you a game until your starter gets back and, boom, not miss a beat, right? Not need the reps that are required to go out there and play and execute. He's shown all those things, and the interest is always there."

However, Heinicke may still have to compete for that No. 2 spot as Rothstein also reports that Atlanta plans to add another quarterback at some point this offseason. 

Before joining the Falcons, Heinicke spent time with the Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings. 

In nine seasons so far, Heinicke has completed 62.5% of his passes for 6,635 yards and 39 touchdowns with 28 interceptions.