Chargers Undecided On Backup QB

Lance and Uiagalelei both saw time in yesterday’s preseason game. Neither one delivered a sterling performance in terms of passing success, although they both avoided turning the ball over. Head coach Jim Harbaugh noted after the game that a final decision has yet to be made with respect to the winner of the QB2 battle.

“I think it’s tight,” Harbaugh said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “I don’t have a definitive status on it right now. Kind of hard to evaluate the quarterbacks when errors are taking place.”

Indeed, Los Angeles’ offense struggled in a number of areas en route to a 41-17 loss on Thursday. A number of key evaluations will need to be made through the remainder of training camp and the team’s final remaining exhibition contest. That will include the backup quarterback spot, one which was held by Lance in 2025. The former No. 3 pick has not managed to establish himself as a consistent NFL passer, though, something which helped open the door to Uiagalelei – a 2025 undrafted free agent who spent his rookie year on the Bolts’ practice squad – moving up the depth chart this summer.

Justin Herbert remains on course for another year as Los Angeles’ starter, and his performance under new offensive Mike McDaniel will be interesting to monitor. Lance, 26, is owed $2.5MM on the final year of his contract; that figure matches his cap hit. A release would yield a $2MM dead money charge, whereas cutting Uiagalelei would create $885K in cap savings without any guaranteed money remaining on the books.

Finances could be a factor in Los Angeles’ decision when it comes to Herbert’s backup. Uiagalelei’s showings in particular will be important given their impact on his chances of passing through waivers during cutdowns. In any case, the QB2 spot could remain unsettled until at least the Chargers’ third preseason game.