With both Chase Daniel and Easton Stick set to be free agents, the Chargers will be signing two quarterbacks, either through free agency or the draft, likely both. They could opt to resign both Daniel and Stick, but the question becomes, what is the value of signing both players? Herbert already had an opportunity to learn from Daniel over two seasons but with a new offensive coordinator in place, it's time to change the quarterback room and give Herbert a new mentor to learn from. Stick could be an option to continue to develop, but there is more to gain for him by going to a new team that gives him an opportunity to play and develop as a future starter. He will not get many opportunities behind Herbert.
The Most Logical Fits:
Cooper Rush - Dallas Cowboys
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Cooper Rush makes so much sense to back up Justin Herbert. For starters, he already has a familiarity with Kellen Moore's offensive scheme, having played behind Dak Prescott since 2017. Last season, he completed 58% of his passes for 1,051 yards, scoring 5 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. Rush did not jump off the stat sheet exactly, but he was able to lead the Cowboys to a 4-1 record while filling in for Prescott from weeks 2-6. Rush will be turning 30 years old this coming season and he does not seem to have an opportunity to battle for a starting position anywhere else in the league. This, mixed with Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, is the most logical fit for to backup Justin Herbert in 2023.
Andy Dalton - New Orleans Saints
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Andy Dalton also makes sense to backup Justin Herbert for his time with the Cowboys in 2020. The 35-year-old Red Rifle can still be efficient playing in a pinch, throwing for 18 touchdowns to 9 interceptions for the New Orleans Saints in 14 games last year. His experience as a player with 11 years of professional football is something to value as a player-coach on the sidelines. The biggest knock on Dalton is his win-loss record going back to 2016.
More Expensive Veteran Backups
Jacoby Brissett - Cleveland Browns
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Jacoby Brissett has 48 career starts since 2016 and is praised by players and coaches as a locker room leader and motivator. His price tag is estimated at $5M/year for a bridge quarterback, which may be higher than the Chargers are willing to offer. Still, there can be value in a player like Brissett known as one of the better backups in the NFL.
Taylor Heinicke - Washington Commanders
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Taylor Heinicke is also considered a fringe starter who can compete for a starting role for a team looking to draft-and-sit a young quarterback. As a 29-year-old, with mostly positive starting experience, his price tag may also be more than the Chargers have to offer. Heinicke is known for his maturity, and as such, he probably knows his value is greater to another team.
Teddy Bridgewater - Miami Dolphins
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Teddy Bridgewater made $6.5M as a backup to Tua Tagovailoa last season, but his injury history may lower his price tag this season. The biggest knock to Teddy is that injury history, the lack of arm strength, and reduced mobility, but he has nine years of experience in multiple systems. That is something that can be beneficial to Herbert’s continued development.
Gardner Minshew - Philidelphia Eagles
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Gardner Minshew has personality, is mobile, and is coming off a Super Bowl as a backup. He struggled as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that was partially due to a horrendous offensive line and lack of coaching. He could be an interesting name but with just four seasons of professional experience, what value may not be there to backup Justin Herbert. Ideally, the backup to Justin Herbert would be a seasoned player with experience in the film room.
Uninteresting Options
(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Case Keenum - Buffalo Bills
Joe Flacco- New York Jets
Tyler Huntley - Baltimore Ravens
Trace McSorely - Arizona Cardinals
Nick Mullens - Minnesota Vikings
C.J. Beathard - Jacksonville Jaguars
Blaine Gabbert - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Drew Lock - Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold - Carolina Panthers
Mason Rudolph - Pittsburgh Steelers
Many of these players are subpar backups no longer an option to provide confidence as a starter. Case Keenum and Joe Flacco offer experience but neither has been relevant in quite some time. Tyler Huntley surprisingly made the Pro Bowl this season with just 4 starts. He can be dynamic as a run-first quarterback but he may want an option to challenge a QB-needy team as a starter and he doesn’t fit the scheme in Los Angeles. The rest of the list fails to inspire confidence.
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