QB Stick relishes his chance to see action
COSTA MESA >> Easton Stick smiled broadly after the Chargers' final training camp session Thursday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex before their exhibition opener Saturday night against the Rams at SoFi Stadium. And why not? He is expected to start at quarterback and play a great deal.
Coach Brandon Staley said he hadn't determined who would play in the first of the Chargers' three exhibitions leading up to their regularseason opener Sept. 10 against the Miami Dolphins. But he indicated Stick would “play a lot. I'm really looking forward to Easton playing a lot in the preseason.”
Stick is likely to play the first half and Max Duggan, the Chargers' seventh-round draft pick from TCU, will relieve him at some point in the second. Justin Herbert, the NFL's second-leading passer last season, isn't expected to play in any of the Chargers' three exhibitions this month.
Playing time — taking actual snaps and throwing passes in an actual game — would be a big deal for Stick. He's been in the league since the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round in 2019, but he's appeared in only one regular-season game, attempting and completing one pass for 4 yards in 2020.
Stick was under center for two snaps during the Chargers' 39-29 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in an Oct. 25 game at SoFi Stadium. He has played in plenty of exhibitions in past seasons, including all three last year, but his experience has been limited to that one game in the regular season.
This season, he's moved up one spot on the depth chart, filling a significant role as Herbert's backup after he was third on the depth chart last season behind Herbert and Chase Daniel. Last season, he spent almost the entire year on the inactive list, watching Herbert perform brilliantly at times.
Even during practices, Herbert and Daniel got most of the reps.
This season looms as a longawaited step up for Stick.
“Very,” Stick said when asked if he was looking forward to playing a game after facing only his Chargers teammates in camp. “I think you get to that point, you know, three weeks into it now and you're excited to see something else, kind of test your tests, test what you've been doing in camp against someone else.
“Getting into that competition, that's what everybody wants.”
Stick, 27, has run the second team well in camp, targeting emerging wide receivers such as John Hightower and Quentin Johnston, the Chargers' first-round draft pick out of TCU, with crisp passes. He's even scrambled for gains when the receivers have been covered and the blocking breaks down.
There's been a great deal to learn in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's game plan and with new quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier.
“It's been a lot of fun,” Stick said. “A transition, obviously, learning the offense, learning the system. Working with Kellen and Doug and kind of figuring out the way they think and the way they want this thing to look. That's been a lot of fun. It's been fun growing together with the guys in the system. It's certainly fun getting the reps and getting the chance to play a little bit.”
Staley said he was eager to see what Stick could accomplish Saturday.
“He has had an excellent camp,” Staley said. “I think that you can see the improvement. I told you guys (reporters) that I think all three years that we've been with him, he has improved as a player. He's going to be a really steady presence for those guys on game day on Saturday night.
“I'm really looking forward to watching him play.”
Camp updates
Wide receiver Josh Palmer made a leaping touchdown catch from Herbert, tumbling into the end zone with defensive back Michael Davis right behind him during an 11-on-11 drill. Palmer then missed the rest of practice, heading to the trainer's tent for attention for an undisclosed injury . ... Wide receiver Mike Williams made a leaping catch along the sideline on a pass from Herbert for a third-down conversion during an 11-on-11 drill, part of a bounce-back day for the offense after the Chargers' defense had asserted itself during last Sunday's scrimmage and other recent practices . ... Defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day returned to practice after sitting out for several days because of a quadriceps injury, but his workload wasn't what it might have been had he not been sidelined. Staley said Joseph-Day was “getting his pads on and working his way back.”