Chargers News: Bolts Elevate Rookie QB to Active Roster

The Chargers have activated Max Duggan after waiving Sebastian Joseph-Day.

In quite a shocking move, the Los Angeles Chargers decided to waive veteran DT Sebastian Joseph-Day. Despite starting all 14 games this season and serving as team captain, SJD has been placed on waivers. 

That means that the Bolts have one roster spot they need to fill, and they have wasted no time in adding a player to the 53-man roster. 

#Chargers signed QB Max Duggan to the active roster.

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 22, 2023

Rookie QB Max Duggan has now been added to the active roster. With Justin Herbert having season-ending finger surgery, Duggan will now be pegged as the 3rd stringer behind Easton Stick and Will Grier. 

Though many fans might question this move greatly, especially after Duggan had recently been cut—this could be a sneaky good decision for the team. The Chargers have all been eliminated from playoff contention, so they have every opportunity to experiment with some younger players. 

Before Brandon Staley was fired, there was already dissent in the RB room, as Joshua Kelley was rumored to be getting more touches. Isaiah Spiller is the player who has leapfrogged Kelley on the depth chart as RB2. 

This could theoretically happen with Duggan, who is a rookie. The Chargers might want to take stock of who they have before they enter the 2024 season. Duggan could get some real-time action to gauge how the Bolts will address the QB room int he upcoming draft. 

There is also FA to think about. With Herbert dealing with injuries, he may need a more reliable backup than Easton Stick. Plus, the Chargers lose nothing by trying out other QBs in the final three games. 

Max Duggan could end up being a Brock Purdy type of situation. The Chargers might not know what they have with Duggan and want to see him throw the ball as QB1. This is speculation, of course, as Duggan might just be providing some much-needed depth. 

The Chargers would be smart to allow their younger players to get touches in the final three games, as they are only set to play season ruiner for the playoff-hopeful AFC teams they face.