Chase Daniel will make his way to Los Angeles to mentor the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Chargers agreed to terms with the veteran backup on Friday night, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a one-year agreement.
Recently released by the Lions, Daniel will move to his sixth NFL team and work as Justin Herbert‘s backup. Daniel was with the Bears during Brandon Staley‘s final season in Chicago (2018). Being quite well traveled, Daniel also has a history with new Bolts OC Joe Lombardi. Daniel worked with Lombardi during both his Saints stints.
The University of Missouri product has been one of the most financially successful backup quarterbacks ever, and despite being set for his age-35 season, Daniel has remained a coveted QB2. The Lions signed him to a three-year, $13.1MM accord in 2020 and used him at points. The Lions attempted to trade their backup but ended up releasing him. Now, Daniel and Matthew Stafford are each L.A.-bound.
Daniel has remained a viable passer despite having never started more than two games in a season. The former Heisman finalist has only started two games in just one of his 12 NFL seasons (2018, when a Mitchell Trubisky injury thrust his backup into action). Over his career, Daniel is a 68% passer. But that total has come on just 261 attempts.
He will step into the role Tyrod Taylor vacated. Brought in to be Philip Rivers‘ backup in 2019, Taylor entered the 2020 season as the Chargers’ starter. However, a pregame injection mishap began the Herbert era in Week 2 of last season. Taylor has since signed with the Texans.
What is dead May never die.
being a backup pays
one of the greatest thieves of our generation
spoken by someone who has apparently been robbed of their intelligence.
Does Chase give you a courteous reach around when you two hang out?
Don’t be mad that he is right. He got paid to be what he is which is a backup. He was never going to be a full time starter so how is he a thieve? Backup QBs have a job to do on the sideline which is why you always see them holding a clipboard during games. Chase could be a huge part of Herbert’s development this year and that could be worth his contract alone without even considering any on the field production once the season is finished.
Hahaha it’s funny because it’s true
Chase Daniel is not a backup quaterback, he’s a good luck charm. If Daniel is his backup, your starter never gets hurt (only two games played in thirteen years). Well worth the money to keep Herbert healthy and safe.
Gotta give him credit, Daniel has made an incredible career despite never showing anything
He may not play in a game but a backup qb does plenty of work during a season. A backup qb is part of a quarterback room that develops the weekly game plan. Daniel will be a mentor in this case for a young qb in Herbert, helping him prepare for games, to be a sounding board for ideas. He plays an important role in preparing the defense each week imitating the opposing quarterback in defensive practices. One week he must be prepared to practice in the style of Tom Brady, the next it could be Lamar Jackson. To do it well that requires considerable film study of the opposing team’s qb, something the starter doesn’t have to worry about. The backup is always just one injury away from playing so he must know every week’s game plan and be mentally and physically ready at a moment’s notice to execute. Most importantly the backup needs to be humble enough to be a backup yet confident enough if pressed into action. Humility and confidence can be a difficult combination for guys who were stars in high school and college and despite the perks of a backup would each like their chance at being the starter. Sure Daniel has made good money to “watch” games on Sunday but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t worked hard nor does it mean he hasn’t earned it.
I’m glad to see that at least someone can extend a bit of respect to these players. Could the Dolphins have attained their perfect season without backup QB Earl Morrall?
Two-time All-Pro Earl Morrall, no less. Whenever he got to start, he won games.
The greatest trickster in the 21st century NFL has done it again.