Chargers News: LA Backup QB Set for Preseason Start

Let the (backup) QB battle begin!

Most starters in the NFL use the preseason as a time to rest and relax and get ready to play for the regular season as their backups. They don't want to risk an injury.

And for the Chargers, the same is true as Easton Stick and Max Duggan will share the QB position on Saturday for the Bolts.

Stick is expected to take the bulk of the game, and Duggan is slated to take over sometime in the second half. 

It's safe to say Stick is looking forward to starting and facing opposing defenses other than his teams. 

“Very,” Stick said when asked if he was looking forward to playing a game after facing only his Chargers teammates in camp. “I think you get to that point, you know, three weeks into it now and you’re excited to see something else, kind of test your tests, test what you’ve been doing in camp against someone else.

“Getting into that competition, that’s what everybody wants.”

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The game on Saturday could turn out to be a critical step in gauging who the real backup QB for the Chargers could be. Stick would be the incumbent, but Duggan is still waiting in the wings, fresh off of his national championship appearance.

And while the championship game didn't go as planned, let's be honest, it went horribly; Duggan still showed grit and determination to get there by knocking off some really important opponents to make a Cinderella appearance on college football's biggest stage.

We all know who the QB1 will be, but the battle for QB2 will be intense in all three games, as Herbert isn't expected to play until the season opener against Miami on September 10. 

Brandon Staley seems excited to let Stick play, and he's said that ever since the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round in 2019, all he's done is grow.

“I think that you can see the improvement. I told you guys (reporters) that I think all three years that we’ve been with him, he has improved as a player. He’s going to be a really steady presence for those guys on game day on Saturday night."

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It says a lot that Staley thinks Stick will be a "steady presence" for the team. It shows how much trust Staley has in his backup QB, and he truly believes Stick will be able to step up to the challenge Saturday night.

Do you think Max Duggan will give him a run for his money?