We know Pro Bowl stud Justin Herbert is the most essential player for your Los Angeles Chargers, and the 25-year-old burgeoning star was cited as a big lure for both new head coach Jim Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Hortiz.
But who will be the first guy to back him up?
Easton Stick, his primary backup last year, is a free agent. After Herbert went down for the year with a right finger surgery, Stick started four contests to close out the season, while multiple other Los Angeles vets sat out. He notched 1132 yards and four scrimmaging touchdowns, against one pick.
LA's other free agent backup signal caller, Will Grier, who was added behind Stick after Herbert went down, thanks to his familiarity with former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore while on the Dallas Cowboys. He's probably gone.
Max Duggan, a seventh-round rookie last season in what would wind up being the Tom Telesco regime's final draft for Los Angeles, fell behind Grier in the Bolts' rotation.
Perhaps the smartest path forward is grabbing a slightly overqualified vet, rather than banking on Stick and Duggan. Talented backups Jacoby Brissett, Mitchell Trubisky, Tyrod Taylor and Marcus Marriota are all unrestricted free agents this summer, and may be safer picks if LA wants to truly shore up the position.
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