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Chargers Big Bet Pays Off As Roster Competition Nearly Official

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 9:41 PM ET

For most of the offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers framed their quarterback depth chart as an open competition. Taylor Heinicke, the steady veteran who served as Justin Herbert’s backup in 2024, entered camp with the edge in experience. Trey Lance, meanwhile, arrived on a one-year, $2 million deal as a low-risk, high-upside flier after brief stints in San Francisco and Dallas.

Three preseason games and several telling practice reps later, the picture is starting to look less like a battle and more like a coronation.

The Shift on the Chargers Field

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Do You Have Big Kicker Energy?

In their third preseason game against the Rams, Herbert started as expected, but the rotation afterward told a different story. Heinicke followed with one half of action, completing 6 of 11 passes for 56 yards while adding 19 yards on the ground. Then came Lance, who looked noticeably more dynamic. The former No. 3 overall pick finished with 121 passing yards, highlighted by a 34-yard strike to rookie Tre Harris that set up a Raheim Sanders touchdown run.

Lance’s willingness to push the ball downfield — and ability to execute — gave the Chargers a spark. Mina Kimes of ESPN saw enough to declare Lance the team’s QB2 outright.

Practice Reps Tell the Same Story

Daniel Popper of The Athletic noted another important development in Monday’s practice. When the second-team offense took the field, it was Lance, not Heinicke, who lined up first. The Chargers rotated their offensive line heavily, but Lance getting the initial reps felt like a statement.

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Heinicke, long valued for his toughness and experience, suddenly looks like the fallback option.

Numbers and Momentum

Through the preseason, Lance has thrown for 296 yards and two touchdowns, plus another score on the ground. Beyond the box score, he’s looked increasingly comfortable commanding the offense — the exact kind of progress that Chargers coaches hoped for when they signed him.

By contrast, Heinicke has been steady but unspectacular, a profile that’s harder to justify with Lance flashing real upside.

One More Test

The Chargers plan to give Lance the start in Saturday’s preseason finale against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. According to The Athletic, he’ll get one or two possessions before Heinicke enters for a short stint, with rookie DJ Uiagalelei closing out the game.

If Lance shows composure and command against the 49ers, the competition will officially be over. The Chargers may have taken a flier, but all signs point to them finding real value — and their backup quarterback of the future.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

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