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Chargers Must Make Obvious Choice to Avoid Bungling Backup QB Situation

The Los Angeles Chargers need to either trade for a quarterback or sign one after the poor performances in the preseason.

By Jovan Alford

Aug 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Aug 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Chargers were put in a precarious position earlier this month after it was reported that star quarterback Justin Herbert would be sidelined with a right foot injury (plantar fascia), causing him to miss all of training camp. 

However, it was also reported that Herbert is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 NFL regular season.

With Herbert on the injury list, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the coaching staff got a chance to give the backup quarterbacks more reps in practice and preseason to see who would emerge as the team’s QB2.

However, much to the dismay of Harbaugh, the quarterback play in the preseason hasn’t been great, leaving them in a tough spot with the regular season on the horizon. 

Easton Stick has become public enemy No. 1 of the fanbase due to his poor play, which has led to fans calling him to be cut. But the Chargers have yet to do that, instead, they’ve waived Casey Bauman and Max Duggan over the last two weeks.

With Stick struggling and not running away with the job, it opened the door for UFL QB and spring football legend Luis Perez to take the QB2 job. Perez hasn’t put up gaudy numbers in the preseason (18/32 for 139 yards), but he hasn’t turned over the football.

However, the Chargers can’t go into the regular season with Perez as their QB2, no matter how many reps he’s had over the years playing in various spring leagues. The fan base wants to see the team go after players such as Ryan Tannehill, Taylor Heinicke, or Tyler Huntley.

All three quarterbacks would be an upgrade over Perez and Stick and give them some security if Herbert gets hurt again.

Tannehill is a free agent but is the perfect veteran to work with the Chargers’ young playmakers and has a ton of NFL experience. Heinicke is listed as QB3 in Atlanta, but it's likely the Falcons roll with Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix.

Lastly, Huntley is falling behind in the QB3 battle with the Cleveland Browns and could be cut at the end of training camp. Even though he’s struggled in the preseason, Huntley would be a nice option for the Chargers as he would be reunited with Greg Roman.

Roman was the offensive coordinator in Baltimore when Huntley was on the team, and could pick up the offense quickly. Then there’s also Bailey Zappe, who will be looking for a new team to join as the New England Patriots are set with their three QBs.

While it would be nice for the Chargers to take a chance on Perez, who has been on the grind for years in spring football, their best option is to take a chance on Tannehill, Huntley, or Zappe as Stick is not ready to be QB2.

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