Who is the Chargers' backup quarterback? Los Angeles' 2026 QB depth chart behind Justin Herbert

Jake Mozarsky

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Who is the Chargers' backup quarterback? Los Angeles' 2026 QB depth chart behind Justin Herbert image

The Los Angeles Chargers are entering the postseason on the back of one of the most prolific offensive seasons in franchise history, engineered by their franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert. Once again proving why he is one of the elite passers in the league, Herbert finished the 2025 season with 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, all while battling through a fractured left hand over the final month of the year.

Herbert's ironman status and commanding presence have ensured the Chargers remained firmly in the AFC playoff hunt, making the concept of a game without him a distant, albeit uncomfortable, thought for the team and its fans.

Yet, despite Herbert's durability, especially in light of his recent hand injury, has been a question in the home stretch of the season. This was especially the case in Week 18, when Los Angeles rested Herbert and relinquished the No. 6 seed in the AFC with it. Now, Los Angeles faces the daunting task of facing Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Foxborough, but it should have a healthy quarterback who is 100%.

But, if Herbert does go down for some reason, the Chargers have a quarterback who actually went higher than Herbert in the NFL Draft.

Here's more on the Chargers QB depth chart.

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Who is the Chargers backup quarterback?

The Chargers' playoff security is bolstered by a high-upside backup: former 2021 third-overall pick, Trey Lance. Lance, who beat out veteran Taylor Heinicke for the job in training camp, represents a unique combination of potential and developmental project, offering a skillset centered on mobility and a strong arm should he be called upon.

Lance was the highly touted third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers following a stellar college career at North Dakota State. His rookie season with the 49ers was limited, and a severe injury in Week 2 of the 2022 season cut short his chance to secure the starting role.

After his injury-shortened tenure in San Francisco, Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent two seasons primarily as a backup quarterback, though he did appear in four games with one start in the 2024 season. His time in Dallas was marked by limited opportunity as the team looked to develop his raw potential.

Lance joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, signing a one-year, $2 million deal. He finished the season with four appearances and one start — the regular-season finale against the Broncos, where he rushed for a team-leading 69 yards. 

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Chargers QB depth chart

PositionPlayer
1Justin Herbert
2Trey Lance

Hebert and Lance are the only two quarterbacks on the Chargers roster.

Having only two quarterbacks means the team is heavily banking on Herbert's ability to stay on the field, even with his recent history of playing through injuries, like the fractured hand late in the 2025 season. A serious injury to Herbert would force the team to rely entirely on Lance, a player who has limited NFL starting experience.

Unlike some previous seasons, the current NFL rules allow teams to dress a third, emergency quarterback from the practice squad on game day without taking up a spot on the 53-man roster, provided they only have two quarterbacks on the active roster. However, the Chargers are still without a veteran third option to sign to the active roster should an injury occur.

Staff Writer