Being tight with Justin Herbert can go a long way with the LA Chargers—just look at quarterbacks coach Shane Day. He was previously let go by the team, but Jim Harbaugh brought him back after taking over as head coach in 2024.
Backup QB Easton Stick also reaped the benefits of being in Herbert’s inner circle. Even though he struggled badly when filling in for Herbert in 2023, the new coaching staff still re-signed him to a one-year deal for 2024.
But this offseason tells a different story for Stick. After the Chargers added Trey Lance, giving them three quarterbacks on the roster, it became clear that Stick’s days might be numbered. And on Thursday, the writing was on the wall—delivered in the form of an unexpected uniform number change.
DEUCE ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/2Ptwiv6vo0
— Elijah Molden (@ElijahMolden24) April 17, 2025
Chargers confirm Easton Stick’s departure with Elijah Molden’s number change
Safety Elijah Molden is switching his jersey number from 22 to 2 — the same number Easton Stick had worn since being drafted by the Chargers in 2019. Now that the number has been reassigned, it’s clear Stick won’t be returning to the team in 2025.
This development doesn’t come as a shock to Chargers fans who watched Stick struggle mightily during the 2024 preseason. Despite being the backup quarterback at the time, his performance was so poor that the team had to trade draft assets to bring in Taylor Heinicke, who has since been re-signed for the upcoming season.
Stick spent the 2024 season as the third-string quarterback and was inactive on game days. While it was obvious he wasn’t in line to be the backup again, some thought his close connection with Justin Herbert might keep him around in a QB3 role.
However, the Chargers seem ready to move on completely — though a future in coaching could be on the table for Stick. Following a path similar to Kellen Moore, he could transition to a coaching position, potentially staying with the team in that capacity thanks to his rapport with Herbert.
At nearly 30 years old and with little to show from his opportunities on the field, Stick is unlikely to get another shot as a backup elsewhere. Coaching may be his best shot at remaining in the NFL. With Molden now taking his jersey number, it marks a definitive end to Stick’s playing days with the Chargers.
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