LA Chargers: Five bold predictions for 2021 NFL free agency

Prediction #4: Tyrod Taylor is replaced with a veteran option

Tyrod Taylor could be back with the LA Chargers if he accepts a backup role. I’d love to see it personally. Taylor has become a respected veteran around the league who can help in quarterback competitions with the purpose of bringing a rookie along. For that reason, I think he’ll have opportunities to potentially start games somewhere else.

From joining Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia to perhaps signing with one of the teams that will draft a rookie quarterback, there’s a lot of possibilities for him that could be more lucrative than Los Angeles.

The answer at that point might be to give the backup job to Easton Stick. While that’s possible from a cap savings standpoint, it’s just hard to see Telesco being comfortable with Stick. It makes sense to have a veteran backup for Justin Herbert on paper of course, but remember that Telesco wasn’t even comfortable having a young backup for Rivers.

Throughout Telesco’s tenure, the backup quarterback has never been younger than 28. Geno Smith (who is available in 2021 free agency) was the youngest Telesco era back up and he had multiple seasons as the Jets’ starter under his belt. I don’t see Stick currently fitting the experience quota that the Chargers have prioritized with their backup quarterbacks. Not to mention, he hasn’t played in a game since the 2019 preseason.

Alex Smith, Jacoby Brissett, A.J. McCarron, and Andy Dalton are probably the premium backup types they could pursue. Joe Flacco could be an interesting flyer option if the Chargers are looking for a vet on the cheap.