Official 2026 Chargers Roster Discussion | Roster Build | Free Agency

[Boltinloudguy]

You missed my point.

I have said on here today that i dont have a real issue QJ didnt come down with that catch. But I am not going to sit here and listen to some say Herbert made a "bad throw" That throw was not anything close to a "bad throw"

And all I have said about QJ today, mainly that he is not well cast as an X receiver or a deep threat, is not based on one throw in a pre season game but 2 years of evidence.

And again, I like QJ and want him on the team, I can just recognize that our 2 good looking rookie receivers have better skill sets to be Herbert's deep threats.

QJ is not a natural ball tracker. He is not a contested catch guy.... but he is a talented YAC player. Use accordingly. Seems pretty simple to me. Last year we had no other options at X. This year we do.

It wasn’t a bad throw, but it was a little under thrown. QJ had his guy beat and Herbert could have thrown it more out in front of QJ. I’m not mad or upset at either though. The DB made a good play. I am mad at the DB that hit QJ and the refs that didn’t call a penalty. The DB had plenty of time to pull up and the refs should have called a penalty plain and simple.

[jubei]

In his 2nd season QJ had 700+ yards receiving and scored 8 TDs. Let's put it in perspective. In 2024 his 711 receiving yards were 48th. His 8 TD catches ranked 13th. There are 32 teams in the NFL, each one rosters at least 5 WRs, most roster 6, some roster 7. If you multiply 32 x 6, that is 192 WRs. QJ is in the top 25 percent in receiving yds, and in the top 10 percent in TDs scored. Unless you have a depth chart filled with top WR talent from top to bottom, you don't dump QJ's production from your roster, especially one on his rookie contract who is playing for almost nothing.

those stats were decent. but i think the other teams just kinda half guarded him. quite a few of his TDs were blown coverages. and who better to blow coverage than on a dude who drops softballs? I only recalled 2 really good catches by him...in the raider game where he MIRACULOUSLY stuck out 1 hand and caught a long pass. another where he came across the middle and got blasted but held onto the ball. this preseason I've seen drops but it seems all the WRs have been dropping balls this preseason so far. keep qj but in no way play him in front of LM, KLS, TH, KA.

[dmac_bolt]

It wasn’t a bad throw, but it was a little under thrown. QJ had his guy beat and Herbert could have thrown it more out in front of QJ. I’m not mad or upset at either though. The DB made a good play. I am mad at the DB that hit QJ and the refs that didn’t call a penalty. The DB had plenty of time to pull up and the refs should have called a penalty plain and simple.

It was 40 yards in the air and maybe 1 foot "underthrown". It was not a bad pass, but it was not "perfect". hitting high speed targets 40 yards away is really fucking hard. It was a lovely pass that could only be either caught or incomplete.

I didn't realize the primary covering CB actually got a finger on it to tip it at the last second. That changed my view 180, I apologized to Q. Yes that CB also interfered (jersey pull) but it was fairly minor and almost always a non-call unless you're QB is someone famous named Patrick, especially if CB also gets a finger on the ball.

That late hit by the (I assume) safety was blatantly obviously illegal, wicked, and despicable. to do that in a preseason game is not excusable. absolutely NO EXCUSE for him to target Q's helmet like that after the ball already had gone by, there was plenty of time as you note.

[dmac_bolt]

those stats were decent. but i think the other teams just kinda half guarded him. quite a few of his TDs were blown coverages. and who better to blow coverage than on a dude who drops softballs? I only recalled 2 really good catches by him...in the raider game where he MIRACULOUSLY stuck out 1 hand and caught a long pass. another where he came across the middle and got blasted but held onto the ball. this preseason I've seen drops but it seems all the WRs have been dropping balls this preseason so far. keep qj but in no way play him in front of LM, KLS, TH, KA.

half guarded him, really? cmon now - thats over-reaching. teams were not half-guarding any receivers, thats just made up. True some of his catches were blown coverage, but that is the same as the majority of receivers in the NFL. He made steps from year 1, had decent but not great stats, and he needs to build on it further if he wants a serious second contract either here or somewhere else. he last LVR game he was phenomenal, too many games he was not. HOU erased him from the playoff game with their best CB1 (who is a very good CB).

He worked hard again this off-season, I saw tapes of him all off-period working. "the play" on Saturday doesn't tell us where he is now as he starts Season 3, other than recovering from a rung bell. Those that disbelieve will see a drop and assume more of the worst, those more charitable (fair) will recognize it was one pass that had a last second finger tip by the CB.

[northerner]

It was 40 yards in the air and maybe 1 foot "underthrown". It was not a bad pass, but it was not "perfect". hitting high speed targets 40 yards away is really fucking hard. It was a lovely pass that could only be either caught or incomplete.

I didn't realize the primary covering CB actually got a finger on it to tip it at the last second. That changed my view 180, I apologized to Q. Yes that CB also interfered (jersey pull) but it was fairly minor and almost always a non-call unless you're QB is someone famous named Patrick, especially if CB also gets a finger on the ball.

That late hit by the (I assume) safety was blatantly obviously illegal, wicked, and despicable. to do that in a preseason game is not excusable. absolutely NO EXCUSE for him to target Q's helmet like that after the ball already had gone by, there was plenty of time as you note.

without the cheap shot to the head, the play would have been forgotten by the end of the game. the league needs to look at that play.

[dmac_bolt]

without the cheap shot to the head, the play would have been forgotten by the end of the game. the league needs to look at that play.

well, except half of TPB would still say it proves Q can't catch the ball.

[Boltjolt]

Could Herbert have been 100% perfect on that throw instead of 90%. Yeah I guess. I did see a pretty good dime on the many replays I watched that bounced right off QJs hands BEFORE he got smoked though.

Here is the reality...if you want to be a deep threat receiver...you are going to have to be capable of tracking the ball well enough to make minor adjustments to catch 40 -50 yard passes. Herbert can throw accurate darts downfield as well as any QB but no QB can be 100% perfect on every 50 yard throw. Good downfield threats make those adjustments. Something QJ has never done well.

Young players do grow. Not all take 3 years but every player is different. Using KLS as an example, there are elements of his game , such as route running that will improve, but Roman has stated KLS is one of the players that has specail ball tracking ability that you cant coach.

The fact is, right now as a rookie, KLS is a better deep ball tracker and catcher than QJ is in year 3. Its right there plain to see with your own eyes.

That doesnt mean QJ should be off the team or cant contribute. it just means we have a faster and better deep threat on the team as well as 2 options better suited for X receiver than QJ is. Both KLS and Harris are better at contested catches than QJ and that is just a fact. QJ should be used on slants and crossing routes.

No need to wait another year hoping QJ will develop that skill, it is already on the team.

Here are the college contested catch numbers. Both above average. These are good numbers.

Harris's 61.5% contested catch rate is a notable strength, showcasing his ability to win jump balls and make tough catches.

Keandre Lambert-Smith's contested catch rate varies depending on the source and time frame. In his final collegiate season, he reportedly had a 64.1% contested catch rate.

The ball was tipped whether you want to aknowledge that or not. Anykind of projection displacement can disrupt timing. It deflected downward and yes it hit his hands but that still a hard catch for any WR. You keep harping on that but if it were Keenan id bet you wouldnt.

It was not a bad thrown, but 6" to 12" inches further and its a possible TD, depending if he gets whacked or not but if he catches it with no bobbling, id say he doesnt get whacked like that.
One thing Lance does well is gets air under the ball to drop them in a bucket like he has. Herb still doesnt quite do that. That is one thing Lance does well.

Thats all ive got on that.

KLS has 4 receptions in 3 games, though 2 were for long gains. Harris has 6 which all came in that game. Lance has 3 times the pass attempts of Heinicke and has a 55% completion. Heinicke has a 43.8% but was only 1 for 5 in his first game. Only thrown 16 passes to Lance 49. The overall QB stats for us arent that good in preseason but not real worried, Herb gonna play every game.

Sanders has a 3.5 YPC and yes he looks better than Vidal but Haskins has a 5.5 YPC and looked better than him. Lance is our leading rusher lol.

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl...chargers/stats

[dmac_bolt]

The ball was tipped whether you want to aknowledge that or not. Anykind of projection displacement can disrupt timing. It deflected downward and yes it hit his hands but that still a hard catch for any WR. You keep harping on that but if it were Keenan id bet you wouldnt. 6" inches further and its a possible TD, depending if he gets whacked or not but if he catches it with no bobbling, id say he doesnt get whacked like that.

Thats all ive got on that.

KLS has 4 receptions in 3 games, though 2 were for long gains. Harris has 6 which all came in that game. Lance has 3 times the pass attempts of Heinicke and has a 55% completion. Heinicke has a 43.8% but was only 1 for 5 in his first game. Only thrown 16 passes to Lance 49. The overall QB stats for us arent that good in preseason but not real worried, Herb gonna play every game.

Sanders has a 3.5 YPC and yes he looks better than Vidal but Haskins has a 5.5 YPC and looked better than him.

https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl...chargers/stats

I don't get how guys will point to Lance's 55% rate and then say Heinicke is their #2 guy. that view is about 50/50 here so I'm not alone. I'd wager a taco platter that Lance will be QB2, but I also think they could carry both/3 and not even tell us. What it really is is Herbert plays QB for the LAC in games and both of those guys don't.

I think coaches love Haskins and the others have not done enough to displace him. I pick Sanders to Vidal for the last spot - he shows better vision in their limited reps and is bigger/stronger - Vidal just plows into where the gap was supposed to be created even though its shut down and he's got less fight to get extra once he's there. . But all 3 may be on the roster for week 1 due to our other rocket man, Najee.

[Boltjolt]

I don't get how guys will point to Lance's 55% rate and then say Heinicke is their #2 guy. that view is about 50/50 here so I'm not alone. I'd wager a taco platter that Lance will be QB2, but I also think they could carry both/3 and not even tell us. What it really is is Herbert plays QB for the LAC in games and both of those guys don't.

I think coaches love Haskins and the others have not done enough to displace him. I pick Sanders to Vidal for the last spot - he shows better vision in their limited reps and is bigger/stronger - Vidal just plows into where the gap was supposed to be created even though its shut down and he's got less fight to get extra once he's there. . But all 3 may be on the roster for week 1 due to our other rocket man, Najee.

I dont really care who they pick as #2. I dont want either on the field. Herb goes down, we are sunk.
I mean, Grimm makes one play and suddenly to some guys he makes the team and is our returner. Fans are fickle. Id bet if Gadsden makes that catch in the EZ in a crowd where he got hit and the ball came out, suddenly fans will say he should start.

Its preseason. Many make too much of it but its the baseline we got. No game planning, vanilla D's.

Jake Browning was great in relief of Burrough when he went down. We know he can play but his preseason has not been good this year. 6-14, no TDs and a INT. But he plays again tonight and they know what they have in him. Ridder is QB3 there and he actually has been a little better and we know, he es no bueno!

Lance is on a 1 year deal and if a team or two next year tell his agent they want him to compete for a starting job, he wont be here and we are looking again for a backup.
IDK if they keep both this, but unless we get some kind if insane offer like a 3rd, i dont think we trade either of them either. A QB would have to go down. Word in the Saints are high on Tyler Shough but think Rattler will start. I dont think Lance is better than him, if anything they are close to equal but Rattler is in his second year, not his 5th like Trey.

Dont think we will get an offer like that as neither has been great but at 25 ( Tyler Shough is already 25) maybe someone see's potentual in Lance they havent seen before. I dont expect a trade unless they actually have been showcasing him but,...no idea.

Just my 2 cents....ok maybe that was 3 cents.

[dmac_bolt]

I dont really care who they pick as #2. I dont want either on the field. Herb goes down, we are sunk.
I mean, Grimm makes one play and suddenly to some guys he makes the team and is our returner. Fans are fickle. Id bet if Gadsden makes that catch in the EZ in a crowd where he got hit and the ball came out, suddenly fans will say he should start.

Its preseason. Many make too much of it but its the baseline we got. No game planning, vanilla D's.

Jake Browning was great in relief of Burrough when he went down. We know he can play but his preseason has not been good this year. 6-14, no TDs and a INT. But he plays again tonight and they know what they have in him. Ridder is QB3 there and he actually has been a little better and we know, he es no bueno!

Lance is on a 1 year deal and if a team or two next year tell his agent they want him to compete for a starting job, he wont be here and we are looking again for a backup.
IDK if they keep both this, but unless we get some kind if insane offer like a 3rd, i dont think we trade either of them either. A QB would have to go down. Word in the Saints are high on Tyler Shough but think Rattler will start. I dont think Lance is better than him, if anything they are close to equal but Rattler is in his second year, not his 5th like Trey.

Dont think we will get an offer like that as neither has been great but at 25 ( Tyler Shough is already 25) maybe someone see's potentual in Lance they havent seen before. I dont expect a trade unless they actually have been showcasing him but,...no idea.

Just my 2 cents....ok maybe that was 3 cents.

thats all centsible to me.

Rattler was horrible last year, he needs a big jump in performance. its as good a QB name as there is, thats a start.

Fans making hard decisions based on limited reps by backups playing against other backups in games neither team schemes for and is more interested in running specific things just to see them or players ... yeah, that may not be optimal. But hey - we were making the same hard decisions and predictions before they even put on pads, so its better, right? lol ...

[sonorajim]

those stats were decent. but i think the other teams just kinda half guarded him. quite a few of his TDs were blown coverages. and who better to blow coverage than on a dude who drops softballs? I only recalled 2 really good catches by him...in the raider game where he MIRACULOUSLY stuck out 1 hand and caught a long pass. another where he came across the middle and got blasted but held onto the ball. this preseason I've seen drops but it seems all the WRs have been dropping balls this preseason so far. keep qj but in no way play him in front of LM, KLS, TH, KA.

Making excuses for success? Q will be in the WR lineup. As a group they are our best in years. How and when they use specific players will vary depending on the opponent of the week and possible injury status. Right now I'd guess a LM, KA, QJ, DD, TH, KLS ranking.The rookies won't jump vets before they have played a game. Vs KC Ladd, KA and DD will be in the starting lineup. how they go with Q, Tre and KLS will be interesting. Who among the last 3 provides long speed?

[CanadianBoltFan]

I just rewatched the play after reading posts that it was tipped. The tippers were 100% correct and I apologize to Q for stating no DB touched it and he dropped it before they touched him. The covering CB tipped it at last second, maybe between 1 and 2 feet from his hands - there was no time for Q to adjust to that tip or do much of anything. Maybe once in awhile a receiver gets lucky to still catch it, but its no longer imo considered “catchable”.

Q - I’m sorry for incorrectly calling you out, bruh. Get well soon!

for those that say “its not about one play” - yes, yes it is. If you’re hating Q for one play where the ball was tipped and then he got helmet blasted … idunno man. that won’t be me.

I am not "hating" on QJ about anything. I just want him in a passing role he is more suited for. He is not an X receiver

I can recognize we have 2 better deep ball threats on the team, something Q has never been good at.