Chargers plan to settle QB2 race in preseason finale vs. Rams, with Justin Herbert slated to play limited snaps

The Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback competition is set for its clearest measuring stick of the preseason. Ahead of the team’s finale against the Los Angeles Rams, the Chargers are expected to start Justin Herbert, though he is not projected to play extensively. The more consequential workload is expected to shift quickly to the back-end of the depth chart, with Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei competing for the QB2 role.

According to the game preview reported by Yahoo Sports, Herbert will get the start, but the coaching focus for the late-game quarterback evaluation is expected to land on who performs best once the early snaps are finished. In practical terms, that means Lance and Uiagalelei should see the bulk of the snaps, giving the staff the kind of live, decision-making reps that carry more weight than isolated series during earlier preseason games.

For Lance, this is another opportunity to show that he can function as a high-upside backup who can manage both structure and urgency when the game tightens. His value in a QB2 competition typically depends on how efficiently he operates with second-team personnel, how quickly he processes coverage, and whether he can sustain drives without relying on one specific scheme advantage.

For Uiagalelei, the evaluation is likely to center on command and consistency. A backup quarterback battle is often decided by fundamentals, particularly ball security and clarity at the line of scrimmage. When games move beyond the scripted opening moments, a QB2 candidate is judged on whether he can keep the offense on track, protect against avoidable mistakes, and make accurate throws that match the routes and protections built for that personnel group.

The Rams matchup also adds a layer of urgency, since preseason finales tend to compress roster decision-making timelines. Even if the game itself does not carry regular-season stakes, the distribution of snaps can shape the final pecking order going into the start of the season, especially for the quarterback position where continuity and preparation matter for the entire roster.

Herbert’s expected limited workload also matters for how the coaching staff structures the rest of the quarterback plan. Starting him indicates that the Chargers still want their first options operating at full speed for at least a portion of the game, but choosing to keep his snap count down suggests the staff wants to avoid overextending the franchise starter before the regular season and still extract maximum information from the QB2 contenders.