The Los Angeles Chargers had the rare opportunity to play in four preseason games ahead of the 2025 NFL season. They were chosen to play against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame game in addition to their typical three-game slate.
This gave the Chargers another chance to evaluate their players, and it gave every player fighting for a roster spot another opportunity to prove why they belonged in Los Angeles. It also gave each player another chance to showcase why Jim Harbaugh and Co. should not keep them around.
For one veteran Chargers player, the latter was certainly the case. After not playing in the Hall of Fame game, quarterback Taylor Heinicke certainly made his case to not make the 53-man roster over the course of the next three preseason bouts.
Taylor Heinicke was Chargers' biggest loser of the 2025 preason
Heinicke was an above-average backup in his heyday with the Washington Commanders, but he has been anything but that this preseason. In his first appearance against the New Orleans Saints, he completed just one of his five pass attempts for eight yards and took a seven-yard sack.
To follow that up, he was just 6-for-11 in preseason Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams for 56 yard. This earned him a Pro Football Focus grade of 44.4, which ranked 24th out of a qualifying 27 Chargers on offense.
Against the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason finale, Heinicke responded with his best efficiency thus far, completing three of his five passes for 31 yards. Unfortunately, he also fumbled against the 49ers, which felt like the kiss of death for the veteran quarterback.
RELATED: Chargers QB is fighting for his roster spot in final preseason game
Not only did Heinicke play poorly during the preseason overall, but backup Trey Lance played some of his best football to date. He starred in the Hall of Fame game and was able to ride that momentum through the next three contests.
Lance has always been a more dynamic athlete and certainly adds an element as a runner, but he also proved through the four-game slate that he can be just as effective and efficient as a passer. Heinicke certainly has the ability to scramble, but he doesn't have a Lance-like ability to run.
It's tough to justify keeping more than two quarterbacks in Los Angeles, especially with question marks at the end of the running back and wide receiver rooms. The Chargers could also benefit from keeping another versatile offensive lineman, so Heinicke could be on the way out.