Browns' surprising QB decision opens door for no-brainer trade with Chargers

The abysmal backup quarterback play was the biggest talking point of the preseason for the LA Chargers in 2024. It became clear the Chargers could not be complacent at backup QB after Justin Herbert was put in a walking boot during training camp.

Herbert is out of the walking boot and is not feeling any pain in his right foot ahead of Week 1 but that does not allow the Chargers to be complacent. If there is ever a situation where Herbert needs to miss a small window of time, the Chargers need someone who they can be confident in. Easton Stick is not that quarterback.

The Cleveland Browns have long been circled as a team for Chargers fans to monitor with an abundance of quarterbacks on the roster. Now, all the ducks are starting to fall in a row for the Chargers.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported on Tuesday that second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is making Cleveland's 53-man roster, which came as a bit of a surprise. With this news, the Browns are also now reportedly fielding trade offers on quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.

Chargers trading for Tyler Huntley is as obvious as it is smart

General manager Joe Hortiz has made a habit out of bringing in former Baltimore Ravens players and Huntley would only add to that list. Huntley started nine games for the Ravens from 2021 through 2023 and while his numbers are not elite, for a backup quarterback they got the job done.

Huntley is familiar with Greg Roman's offense and knows what it takes to succeed as a spot starter in the NFL. If the Chargers need someone to start one or two games and not simply keep the team in those games then Huntley is the guy.

The Chargers never would have traded for Huntley under the previous regime but there should be no hesitation for the Bolts to trade draft capital. A seventh-round pick for a quality backup quarterback is a no-brainer but even if it cost a sixth-round pick it would be a savvy move by the Bolts.

Los Angeles already has extra day three picks for the 2025 NFL Draft and will likely receive more via compensatory picks. The team can absolutely afford to dole out a sixth-round pick to make a massive upgrade at the backup quarterback position.

With how Hortiz operates, and how poorly Stick played in the preseason, it would legitimately be surprising if the Chargers didn't trade for Huntley. Sometimes, the stars just align.