Who is the Chargers backup quarterback? A look at Easton Stick and the QB depth chart

The backup quarterback position can swing a team's entire season. Ideally, an NFL team does not need to dip tag in its backup quarterback but as we have seen in the past, injuries are common in the NFL and sometimes a team needs a backup quarterback to stay afloat.

The LA Chargers, for example, are never going to make a Nick Foles-like run to the Super Bowl if Justin Herbert comes down with another season-ending injury. However, if Herbert misses just a handful of games, having a backup come in to keep the team afloat can swing an entire season.

Unfortunately, the Chargers were graced with this exact situation in 2023 and it did not go very well. Easton Stick struggled in his four starts for the Chargers and even though he proved he may not be the man for the job, the Chargers decided to bring him back.

Easton Stick is the Chargers backup quarterback (and its less than ideal)

The Chargers drafted Stick in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and for most of his early career, he served as the third-string quarterback on the team. Stick was the third-stringer behind Philip Rivers and Tyrod Taylor in 2019, and then Herbert and Taylor in his sophomore year.

Taylor leaving the Chargers after the 2020 season did not change Stick's status as the third-string quarterback. Los Angeles brought in veteran Chase Daniel, mostly due to how he could help Herbert in his development. Daniel served as the team's backup in 2021 and 2022 with Stick finally earning the backup job in 2023.

And when he finally got the chance to play it did not go very well. Stick started the last four games of the season for the Chargers and went 0-4 in the process. He completed 63.8% of his passes with three touchdowns, one interception, and five fumbles. Stick averaged 225.8 passing yards per game and finished with a quarterback rating of 51.0.

Stick's contract expired after the 2023 season and many fans thought the team would move on and find a better backup (especially with a new front office in town). That was not the case, as Stick re-signed on a one-year deal.

Chargers quarterback depth chart

The Chargers drafted Max Duggan in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft and he did not even make it to his first season before being cut. Duggan was not included in the team's initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season.

That being said, Duggan was kept around on the practice squad and was brought in to backup Stick when Herbert was initially hurt in 2023. However, the team showed little faith in him as it also brought in Will Grier to help backup Stick last season, so if it gets to Duggan then the season is truly over.