Key Highlights
- Once again proving why he is one of the elite passers in the league, Herbert finished the 2025 season with 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, all while battling through a fractured left hand over the final month of the year. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHerbert's ironman status and commanding presence have ensured the Chargers remained firmly in the AFC playoff hunt, making the concept of a game without him a distant, albeit uncomfortable, thought for the team and its fans. Yet, despite Herbert's durability, especially in light of his recent hand injury, has been a question in the home stretch of the season.
- This was especially the case in Week 18, when Los Angeles rested Herbert and relinquished the No.
- 6 seed in the AFC with it.
- Now, Los Angeles faces the daunting task of facing Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in Foxborough, but it should have a healthy quarterback who is 100%. But, if Herbert does go down for some reason, the Chargers have a quarterback who actually went higher than Herbert in the NFL Draft. Here's more on the Chargers QB depth chart. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:SN's expert predictions for NFL playoffs, Super Bowl 60Full NFL playoff scheduleUpdated NFL playoff bracketWild-card picks, predictionsNFL playoff power rankings, 1-14Who is the Chargers backup quarterback?The Chargers' playoff security is bolstered by a high-upside backup: former 2021 third-overall pick, Trey Lance.
- Lance, who beat out veteran Taylor Heinicke for the job in training camp, represents a unique combination of potential and developmental project, offering a skillset centered on mobility and a strong arm should he be called upon. Lance was the highly touted third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers following a stellar college career at North Dakota State.
