Chargers Projected QB Depth Chart After Cutting Taylor Heinicke

A look at the Chargers quarterback depth chart after cutting Taylor Heinicke.

Justin Herbert leads the Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks during training camp. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Chargers made a bold decision on Tuesday as they cut their roster down to 53 players. The most newsworthy move was L.A.'s decision to release veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Heinicke was the team's incumbent backup to Justin Herbert after serving in the role for the entire 2024 season. The Chargers acquired Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons in August of 2024 in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He attempted five passes last season. In March, L.A. re-signed him to a one-year, $6.2 million deal, and the expectation was that he would be the guy behind Herbert on the depth chart again.

Unfortunately for Heinicke, former first-round pick Trey Lance performed well enough in the preseason that Jim Harbaugh and Co. decided it was worth gambling on him as Herbert's backup.

L.A. had previously released DJ Uiagalelei, the undrafted rookie and then followed that up by dumping Heinicke, which means there are only two quarterbacks currently on the roster. Then, on Wednesday, they re-signed Uiagalelei to the practice squad for depth.

Chargers Quarterback Depth Chart for 2025

Herbert will, of course, be L.A.'s starter as he enters his sixth NFL season. He's coming off an interesting season in which his yards (3,870), completion percentage (65.9) and touchdowns (23) were well below his career-highs, but his yards per attempt (7.7) and passer rating (101.7) were both career-bests.

With Heinicke gone, Lance will take the backup job. During the preseason, he completed 32 of 57 passes (56.1%) for 334 yards, with two touchdowns, no interceptions and posted a passer rating of 85.0.

The Chargers added Uiagalelei to their practice squad, making him their third quarterback.

String	QB
Starter	Justin Herbert
2nd	Trey Lance
3rd	DJ Uiagalelei

Trey Lance's Path to Being Justin Herbert's Backup

After winning two FCS national titles at North Dakota State, including being named the championship game MVP in 2019, Lance missed all but one game of the 2020 season after it was postponed due to COVID. He entered the draft, and the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the No. 3 pick, looking to develop him behind Jimmy Garoppolo. It didn't work out.

Lance struggled in three seasons with the 49ers as he dealt with injuries and only made four starts. In eight total appearances, he completed 54.9% of his passes for 797 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Before the 2023 season, the 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick. He sat for the entire season.

In four appearances for the Cowboys in 2024, including one start, Lance completed 61.0% of his passes for 266 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and posted a passer rating of 69.8.

The Chargers signed Lance to a one-year, $2 million deal in April of this year.

Chargers Re-Sign DJ Uiagalelei to Practice Squad

The L.A. released Uiagalelei in their final round of cuts to get the roster down to 53 men. Once he cleared waivers, the team signed him to its practice squad, making him the third quarterback on the depth chart.

In three preseason games, Uiagalelei completed 54.3% of his passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The 24-year-old struggled to hit open receivers but did display the outstanding arm talent he's shown since his high school days.

A former five-star recruit, Uiagalelei played for three schools during his collegiate career. He played 36 games for Clemson from 2020 through 2022, then transferred to Oregon State for the 2023 campaign before finishing up at Florida State. During his college career, he completed 58.5% of his passes for 9,384 yards, with 61 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. His passer rating in college was a disappointing 128.3.

Uiagalelei wasn't selected during the 2025 NFL draft but signed with the Chargers as a free agent.

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