The LA Chargers kicked off the preseason with a blowout win in the Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions. Over a week later, the rest of the league kicked off its preseason while the Chargers prepare to face Kellen Moore, Brandon Staley, and the New Orleans Saints.
Preseason games may not matter but it is important to keep an eye out throughout the rest of the league. There are players on the roster bubble on other teams that could be of use to the Chargers. Additionally, opportunities for the Chargers to trade assets for draft capital may arise.
That is what is developing at the quarterback position. Los Angeles has both Taylor Heinicke, who is starting against the Saints, and Trey Lance, who played very well in the Hall of Fame Game. With two valuable options, the Chargers may be able to trade from an area of depth to a team that needs backup quarterback.
After Saturday, there is one team specifically that might need backup quarterback help much more than any other team in the league: the Tennessee Titans.
Titans' preseason opener opens door for Chargers to work a trade
Tennessee lost 29-7 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind a truly lackluster showing from the three signal-callers on the roster.
First-overall pick Cam Ward started the game and did nothing of note. Ward completed five of eight passes for 67 yards in a performance as forgettable as last month's dinner. It's not his performance Chargers fans should focus on, though.
Backups Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle played most of the game and they were in a competition to figure out who would get cut first. The two veteran quarterbacks combined to complete 10 of 25 passes (40%). for 86 yards with three interceptions. Remember how bad Easton Stick was last preseason? This was far worse.
In a perfect world, it won't matter who the backup quarterback is in Tennessee with Ward carrying the franchise. However, the perfect world rarely exists with rookie quarterbacks and it's important to have someone behind Ward who can keep the team competitive if Ward needs a breather.
Allen and Boyle are not the answer.
Heinicke would be a far better option for Tennessee with his recent starting experience. And the Titans have extra draft capital they can ship away to button up the backup quarterback position.
The Chargers traded their 2026 seventh-round pick to the Titans for Elijah Molden last year. Tennessee could use that pick and send it back to the Chargers to upgrade the backup quarterback position.
The Titans get a quality backup for their franchise quarterback without having to trade their own pick and the Chargers get the Molden pick back, essentially meaning he was a free addition. It's a win-win for all involved and makes so much sense after just one preseason game.