The Los Angeles Chargers are waiving quarterback DJ Uiagalelei on Sunday, making it clear that Trey Lance has secured the backup job behind Justin Herbert. This move, reported by Tom Pelissero of Netflix, shakes up their quarterback room right as the regular season looms. Talk about a tough break for Uiagalelei, especially after what looked like a promising preseason finale.
The QB2 Race: Stats Don’t Always Tell The Full Story
Head coach Jim Harbaugh, just a little over a week ago, was talking up how tight the competition was between Uiagalelei and Lance for that crucial No. 2 spot. You gotta wonder what went down in those final evaluations, because on paper, Uiagalelei put up some decent numbers in the preseason finale. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards. Meanwhile, Lance didn’t even complete a pass in his two series of work during that same game. Yet, the Chargers are “sticking with the status quo in the No. 2 spot,” which means they’re rolling with Lance. It just goes to show you how much more goes into these decisions than just one game’s box score, especially when a team already knows what they have in a guy like Lance.
What’s Next For DJ Uiagalelei?
So, what happens now for DJ Uiagalelei? The Chargers are hoping they can bring him back to the practice squad, which makes sense given he spent last season there. But it’s not a done deal. Another team could swoop in and claim him off waivers. If he goes unclaimed, Uiagalelei also has the option to head elsewhere, signing with a different team’s practice squad if he thinks it’s a better fit or offers a clearer path down the line. It’s a classic cutdown week drama, and every team around the league is watching these waiver wires.
For the Chargers, this decision officially solidifies Trey Lance as the primary backup to Justin Herbert. While the numbers from the last preseason game might raise some eyebrows, the team is clearly confident in Lance as their No. 2 guy heading into the new season. Now, all eyes are on whether Uiagalelei lands on another roster or finds his way back to the Bolts’ practice squad.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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