If you’re checking the TV guide or your sportsbook app and asking who’s the chargers quarterback right now, the short answer is Justin Herbert. It’s always been Justin Herbert. Since he stepped onto the field in 2020 after a bizarre medical mishap involving a team doctor and a needle, the number 10 jersey has been the only constant in a franchise that seems to move cities and coaches like most people change phone cases.
But honestly, the conversation around him has changed. It's not just about the "big arm" anymore. We are in January 2026, and the vibes in Los Angeles are, well, complicated.
The Chargers just got bounced from the Wild Card round by the New England Patriots. A 16-3 loss. It was ugly. It was cold. And it has everyone from San Pedro to Solana Beach wondering if having a generational talent at quarterback is actually enough when the points aren't hitting the scoreboard.
The State of the QB Room in 2026
Right now, Justin Herbert is the undisputed starter. He’s 27 years old, in his prime, and stands 6-foot-6 like some kind of lab-created prototype for a modern passer. During the 2025 regular season, he put up numbers that would make most coordinators weep: 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns.
But then there's the other side of the coin. 13 interceptions.
He’s under a microscope because, despite the talent, the Chargers keep hitting the same glass ceiling. It’s a weird spot to be in. You have a guy who can throw a 60-yard rope while backpedaling, yet the offense feels stuck in the mud far too often.
Behind him, things get interesting. The current backup is Trey Lance.
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Yeah, that Trey Lance. The former number three overall pick. He joined the Chargers to rehab his career under Jim Harbaugh, and while he mostly holds a clipboard, he did get a start in the 2025 season finale against the Broncos when Harbaugh decided to rest Herbert for the playoffs. It didn't go great—a 19-3 loss—but Lance is still there, lurking as a "what if" project.
Rounding out the depth chart is DJ Uiagalelei, the former Clemson and Florida State standout who’s trying to find his footing as a developmental third-stringer.
Current Chargers Quarterback Depth Chart (January 2026)
- Starter: Justin Herbert (#10)
- Backup: Trey Lance (#5)
- Reserve: DJ Uiagalelei
The Harbaugh Factor and the Greg Roman Fallout
You can't talk about who’s the chargers quarterback without talking about the guy wearing the headset. Jim Harbaugh came to LA to "win championships," but his first two seasons have been a rollercoaster of "almost."
Just days ago, Harbaugh fired Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman.
This is huge. Roman has been Harbaugh’s right-hand man for a decade, going back to their 49ers days. But after that 3-point performance in the playoffs, the "ground and pound" philosophy officially died in Los Angeles. Harbaugh basically told the media that while they win and lose as a team, the results just weren't there.
So, Herbert is about to enter 2026 with a brand new offensive scheme. Again.
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This has been the story of his career. New coaches, new playbooks, same elite talent trying to carry a heavy load. It’s sort of exhausting to watch if you’re a Bolts fan. You’ve got Pro Bowl tackles like Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, but they’ve both been decimated by injuries. Slater missed almost the entire 2025 season with a patellar tendon injury, and Alt—the rookie phenom—went down in Week 9 with a nasty ankle.
When your star tackles are in the training room, it doesn't matter who's the chargers quarterback; they're going to get hit. And Herbert got hit a lot last year.
Why People Are Questioning Herbert
It feels like heresy to some, but the "is he a winner?" narrative is louder than ever.
In the Wild Card game against New England, the Chargers offense scored three points. Three. You can blame the play-calling, and Harbaugh clearly did by firing Roman, but the quarterback always takes the heat. Critics point to the fact that Joe Burrow and Drake Maye are moving forward while Herbert is watching the Divisional Round from his couch.
Is it his fault? Probably not.
Look at the weapons. Ladd McConkey has been a godsend in the slot, and Quentin Johnston finally started looking like a real WR1 towards the end of 2025. They even have the rookie sensation Omarion Hampton in the backfield. But the synergy just isn't there yet.
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There's a specific kind of "Chargering" that happens where the team finds the most inventive way possible to lose a game they should have won. Herbert usually spends those moments trying to engineer a 4th-quarter comeback that falls just short because of a dropped pass or a missed block.
What Happens Next for the LA Quarterback?
The 2026 offseason is going to be a frenzy. With Greg Roman out, the search is on for an OC who can finally "unlock" Herbert. Names like Marcus Brady are already floating around.
The goal? Stop trying to turn Justin Herbert into a game manager.
He’s a 235-pound athlete with a rocket launcher for an arm. The fans want to see the ball downfield. They want the "Air Coryell" vibes back. If Harbaugh hires a vertical-threat coordinator, we might see Herbert break every record in the book next year.
But there's also the contract. Herbert is expensive. He’s a $262 million man. When you pay a guy that much, the expectation isn't "make the playoffs," it’s "bring home a trophy."
If you are looking for who’s the chargers quarterback in terms of leadership, it's still 100% Herbert's locker room. He’s the guy who stays late, knows the playbook better than anyone, and never throws his teammates under the bus. But in the NFL, "nice guy" doesn't get you a ring.
Actionable Insights for Chargers Fans
If you're following the team through this transition, here is what you actually need to watch for in the coming months:
- The OC Hire: This is the single most important move of the Harbaugh era. If they hire another "run-first" guy, expect more of the same. If they go with a young, pass-heavy mind, Herbert could be the 2026 MVP favorite.
- The Backup Situation: Trey Lance is a free agent this offseason. Whether the Chargers re-sign him or let him walk will tell you a lot about how they feel about the "project" QB spot behind Herbert.
- The Offensive Line Health: Keep a close eye on Rashawn Slater’s recovery. Herbert's success is directly tied to whether his blindside is protected by an All-Pro or a rotating door of practice squad guys.
- Draft Focus: With the offense struggling to score, look for the Chargers to target another elite pass-catcher or interior lineman early in the 2026 Draft to take the pressure off number 10.
Basically, the Chargers have the hardest part of the puzzle solved: they have the franchise quarterback. Now they just need to stop breaking the other pieces.