It is one of those things that still feels a bit weird to say, even though it has been nearly a decade. If you are looking for who is the quarterback for San Diego Chargers, the short answer is that the team actually moved up the coast to Los Angeles in 2017. But honestly? If you ask anyone in the Gaslamp Quarter or down in Chula Vista, they will tell you the team's heart—and its franchise cornerstone—is still very much Justin Herbert.
Herbert is the guy. He has been the guy since he took over for Tyrod Taylor in a bizarre medical mishap involving a punctured lung back in 2020. Since then, he has basically rewritten the record books for young passers. Even as the team plays its home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the "San Diego" identity remains stubbornly attached to the franchise for a huge portion of the fanbase.
The Face of the Franchise: Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is more than just a name on a depth chart. He’s 6'6", has a literal rocket for an arm, and somehow maintains the vibe of a guy who would rather be fishing in Oregon than dealing with the Hollywood spotlight. In the 2025 season, Herbert put up some monster numbers, throwing for over 3,700 yards and 26 touchdowns.
What’s crazy is that he did a lot of that while playing through a fractured left hand.
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People talk about "toughness" in the NFL all the time. It's usually a cliché. But when Herbert stays in the pocket with 300-pound defensive linemen bearing down on him, knowing his hand is taped together? That is why he is the undisputed leader. He recently led the team to an 11-4 start before a tough Wild Card exit against the New England Patriots in early 2026.
The Current Depth Chart Behind Herbert
NFL rosters are always a bit of a moving target. If Herbert is the sun, the rest of the QB room is the orbit. Right now, the backup situation is actually pretty interesting because it features a guy who was once a massive draft hype story himself.
- Trey Lance: The former San Francisco 49ers top pick. He’s the primary backup right now. He stepped in during Week 18 of the 2025 season when the team decided to rest Herbert for the playoffs. It wasn't a perfect outing, but he’s got that mobility that Jim Harbaugh loves.
- DJ Uiagalelei: A name that college football fans know well from his Clemson and Oregon State days. He’s currently on a "futures" contract, basically fighting to prove he belongs in the league as a developmental project.
It’s a "boom or bust" room behind Herbert. If 10 goes down, the vibe changes instantly. Lance is a completely different style of player—more of a runner, less of a surgical pocket passer.
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Why Do People Still Call Them the San Diego Chargers?
You see it on Twitter. You hear it in sports bars. Even national announcers still slip up and say "San Diego" during live broadcasts. It’s been years since Dean Spanos moved the team, so why does the name stick?
Basically, the Chargers spent 56 years in San Diego. That is a lot of history. From Dan Fouts and the "Air Coryell" days to the legendary LaDainian Tomlinson era, the identity of the team is baked into the city. When people search for the quarterback for San Diego Chargers, they aren't usually confused about geography. They are looking for the leader of the team they grew up with.
Jim Harbaugh, the current head coach, actually seems to get this. In 2025, he moved some training camp practices back to the University of San Diego. It was a tactical move to reclaim some of that lost love. It worked, too. Fans showed up in droves just to see Herbert throw a 15-yard out route in the San Diego sun.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Herbert
The biggest misconception? That he can't win the "big one."
After the 16-3 playoff loss to the Patriots in January 2026, the critics came out of the woodwork. They pointed to his 0-3 playoff record. But if you actually watch the tape, the issues usually aren't on him. In that Patriots game, he was sacked six times. The offensive line was essentially a revolving door that afternoon.
He's also dealing with a rotating door of offensive coordinators. There is a lot of talk right now about the Chargers bringing in a new play-caller to maximize Herbert’s arm. You can't just ask a guy to be a superhero every Sunday without giving him a scheme that works.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are following the team into the 2026 season, there are a few things to keep an eye on regarding the quarterback position and the team's trajectory:
- Watch the OC Search: Whoever Harbaugh hires to run the offense will define the next three years of Herbert’s career. They need someone who uses his legs more—he had over 450 rushing yards in 2025, which was a career high.
- Health is Everything: The Chargers only carried two QBs on the active roster for much of last year. That is a huge gamble. If Herbert’s hand injury or any other ailment lingers, the season rests entirely on Trey Lance’s ability to rediscover his college form.
- The San Diego Connection: Expect more "homecoming" events. The team knows their strongest fanbase is still in San Diego County. If you want to see Herbert in person without the SoFi prices, keep an eye on the summer practice schedule in San Diego.
- Contract Values: Herbert’s cap hit is climbing. In 2026, it’s sitting around $46 million. This means the team has to hit on draft picks like Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey because they won't have the cash to buy a superstar roster in free agency.
Ultimately, whether they play in a soccer stadium in Carson or a billion-dollar palace in LA, the quarterback for San Diego Chargers fans remains Justin Herbert. He is the bridge between the old AFL roots and the modern NFL.