Chargers’ offseason could reshape the backup QB picture behind Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers know what they have in Justin Herbert as their starting quarterback, but the most important unresolved piece of their quarterback room this offseason is who will be prepared to step in when the starter is unavailable. According to Yahoo Sports, the Chargers are among the teams whose backup situation could be altered on the back end of the depth chart as the offseason moves forward.

Herbert’s status as the franchise starting quarterback sets the baseline expectations for the position group. What happens behind him matters for a different reason. A backup quarterback role in the NFL is not only about game-day readiness, it is also about weekly preparation, precision in timing and protection calls, and the ability to maintain the offense’s identity if the starter misses time. That dynamic is why a backup competition, even one that seems secondary to the starter, can become a defining storyline in training camp.

Yahoo Sports’ framing suggests that Los Angeles could be willing to look at multiple options, rather than simply leaving the backup job as an automatic placeholder. The report characterizes the situation as a “question mark,” which implies the organization may be assessing whether the current internal answers are sufficient, or whether new competition would better cover the team’s risk management needs.

The timing also matters. Offseason roster building in the NFL is often where teams quietly decide how they want to distribute reps, who earns a clear runway for improvement, and what kind of developmental arc they want from the quarterback behind Herbert. If the Chargers do add competition, the outcome likely will not be decided by one practice swing. Instead, it would typically hinge on consistency in situational work, comfort with the playbook, and decision-making under pressure during preseason-type opportunities.

For fans and evaluators, the most practical takeaway is to treat the backup quarterback job as an ongoing evaluation. Herbert gives the Chargers a stable offensive center, but the organization will still need a quarterback who can communicate, operate without disruption, and protect the efficiency they can generate when things go smoothly. A genuine competition could also affect how the Chargers manage practice emphasis, since a team trying to find the best backup will usually demand more from the entire group, not just one contender.

The uncertainty should not be overstated. A backup role is inherently less visible than the starting quarterback position, and the eventual plan may depend on how the Chargers want to balance experience versus upside. Still, the report’s premise points to the possibility that Los Angeles will not be passive this offseason, even if the starter situation is settled.