The LA Chargers have done a lot to take care of Justin Herbert over the last half-decade. After all, Jim Harbaugh re-hired former quarterbacks coach Shane Day last offseason and brought back Mike Williams to catch passes this offseason.
Not every move can be tailored for Herbert and the Chargers learned that this past season. After an extremely unimpressive stint under center, the Chargers re-signed Easton Stick to a one-year deal last offseason to serve as Herbert's backup. What insued was a preseason that was somehow even worse in 2024.
This forced the Chargers to trade for Taylor Heinicke, whom the team re-signed this offseason. Stick served as the third quarterback on the depth chart and was always a game-day inactive. Still, his role with the team was valuable due to his proximity to Herbert.
A new quarterback will serve as the team's QB3 in 2025. The Chargers shockingly signed former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance to a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million on Friday. In doing so, the Chargers revealed Stick's fate.
Easton Stick will undoubtedly leave the Chargers after Trey Lance signing
There isn't room for a fourth quarterback on the depth chart regardless of how close he is to the starting quarterback. Stick's departure from the Chargers was expected and with this move, the Bolts just confirmed it.
It's hard to imagine Stick finding another job in the NFL. The former fifth-round pick has played poorly in his opportunities and does not benefit from the same draft priors Lance obviously benefits from. With no proper connections to any other team, Stick's run as an NFL quarterback may come to and end.
His time with the Chargers is certainly coming to an end... that is, as a player.
Backup quarterbacks have developed a knack for coaching in today's NFL. Stick saw this firsthand in former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who made a meteoric rise from disappointing backup quarterback to must-have head coach candidate.
Moore turned his helmet in for a headset at 30 years old. Despite being drafted relatively recently, Stick will turn 30 in September. The timelines align for the long-time backup to venture into coaching if that is something he wants to pursue.
Stick's closeness with Herbert extended his job with the Chargers for another year. Perhaps it can now open a new door for him to stay in professional football.
Whether or not the Chargers bring Stick back as a coach remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, though: by signing Lance, the Chargers are outright confirming that Justin Herbert's closest teammate will not be on the roster in 2025.