Chargers Sign QB Will Grier, Waive Max Duggan

Los Angeles is making quarterback moves in the aftermath of Justin Herbert’s season-ending injury.

The Chargers signed quarterback Will Grier from the Patriots’ practice squad and waived former TCU signal-caller Max Duggan on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

If Duggan clears waivers, he will return to the Los Angeles’s practice squad. The movesare the first made by Chargers interim general manager JoJo Wooden, and they come after Easton Stick committed three turnovers in the team’s ugly 63–21 loss to the Raiders on Thursday Night Football at Allegiant Stadium.

Stick was called into action after starter Justin Herbert suffered a season-ending injury to his right index finger. 

Grier, who was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Panthers, has not played in a regular-season game since his rookie campaign. In two games that year, he threw for 228 yards and four interceptions while completing 53.8% of his passes.

Now, the former Florida and West Virginia product will join his fourth franchise this year. Grier started the offseason and attended training camp with the Cowboys. However, after Dallas traded for quarterback Trey Lance, the Cowboys released Grier. 

The 28-year-old then joined the Bengals’ practice squad before subsequently signing with the Patriots in September. On Nov. 25, New England waived Grier and re-assigned him to the team’s practice squad.

The Chargers’ disappointing loss on Thursday prompted owner Dean Spanos to make key structural changes to the franchise’s operations with only three weeks remaining in the season.

On Friday, hours after the atrocious outing, Los Angeles fired coach fired Brandon Staley and parted ways with general manager Tom Telesco. Currently, Giff Smith is serving as the team’s interim head coach.

The Chargers (5–9) will play host to the Bills (8–6) on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.