Chargers Preseason Report: Quarterbacks

Position Group Grade: A-

This grade is screwed heavily to the starter. Any team that loses their starting quarterback for a significant amount of time is going to struggle to win football games. We haven't seen Easton Stick much outside of preseason games, but the Chargers have enough confidence in bringing him back to sit behind Herbert. If there was a single way to upgrade, it would be by bringing in a longtime starter who has regressed, and entered the mentor stage of their career, which the Chargers chose not to bring in. Having Chase Daniel the last few years helped Herbert develop mentally, and now entering year four, Herbert has the foundation to really excel where having an Andy Dalton type backup is no longer a high priority.

First String: Justin Herbert

Grade A+

The 25-year-old is coming off a down year at no fault to himself. The 2022 Chargers struggled with health on the offensive side of the ball to nearly every star player not named Austin Ekeler. Keenan Allen, Rashawn Slater, Corey Linsley, and Mike Williams all missed time last year. To add on that, they lost their only legitimate speed threat in Jalen Guyton, which forced playcalling to change and become even more predictable.

The Chargers didn't have the ability to throw deep, and the run game was not good enough to keep defenses honest. In fact, it ranked 30th in the NFL. That forced Justin Herbert to throw nearly 40 times a game, and defenses sat in the hooks and curls zones, knowing the tendency was f former offensive coordinatorJoe Lombardi.

With the hiring of Kellen Moore, Herbert will get help schematically to create new passing opportuninities. The Chargers also get healthy to start a new year, and added a 6'4 wide receiver in the draft who specializes in run after the catch opportunities. Quentin Johnson can take defenses deep, body defenders with his length, and can take a slant to the end zone from anywhere on the field.

There was no issue with Justin Herbert's play last year; he just needed help around him to truelly flourish. His offensive line gets another year of continuity together, and his playmakers are in no short supply. Herbert is primed for a MVP kind-of-season, with a support system ready to push him to the upper-echelon of quarterback play. He is also currently locked up until the 2029 season, signing a MASSIVE 5-YEAR, 262.5M deal to make him the current highest paid quarterback ($52.5M AAV) in the NFL.

2nd String: Easton Stick

Grade C-

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Easton Stick has been groomed for backup quarterback duties. He has now played for three different offensive coordinators, and made the Chargers 53-man rosters in every season. Shane Steichan, Joe Lombardi, and now Kellen Moore have all had the opportunity to teach Stick nuances to their offensive schemes, and that can be a benefit to preparing Justin Herbert from week-to-week.

Stick is mobile and had a terrific college career for North Dakota State, helping the Bison win four FCS National Championships from 2014-2018. He was also the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year. Stick has earned an opportunity to backup Justin Herbert for what he has provided on the practice field and in the film room with the Chargers. The front office and coaching staff have entrusted Stick by re-signing him to a 1-year contract.

Third String: Max Duggan

Grade F

Under normal years, Max Duggan would have been a long shot to make the Chargers 53-man roster, but with NFL rules now allowing a 3rd quarterback to suit up on game day without it affecting the gameday 46-roster, provided the quarterback is on the 53-man roster, Duggan is a lock to make the team. The Chargers do not necessarily need Duggan to be in the initial 53, but he will find his way there during the regular season.

Duggan showed tremendous leadership and grit last season, leading TCU to the National Championship game. The Horned Frogs could not compete with the Georgia Bulldogs, but they did beat an undefeated Michigan team and showed the ability to win close games in the Big-12. Duggan struggles with accuracy issues, but he has good decision making and is a threat as a ball carrier. His most ideal trait was his maturity. Duggan was the runner up for the Heisman Trophy, as one of the NCAA's most electrifying athletes in the country.