INGLEWOOD — The Chargers’ 29-22 loss Saturday to the Rams featured the usual chaos of an exhibition opener. Only a handful of starters played in the first of three preseason games this month. There were crisp plays, soggy ones and many more that fit somewhere in between.
In the final analysis, it was difficult at times to get a handle on the Chargers as a whole, with so many players coming and going, and with quite a few who will be going away for good before the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.
Here’s some of what we learned, what we heard and what comes next for the Chargers:
Quarterback competition
The battle to become the Chargers’ backup quarterback behind Justin Herbert heated up with 14-year veteran Chase Daniel directing the team to two first-half touchdowns before yielding to fourth-year pro Easton Stick, who led one scoring drive in the second.
Daniel completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards and touchdowns of 41 yards to Joe Reed and 16 yards to Michael Bandy in the first half. Stick completed 16 of 23 passes for 119 yards, running for a three-yard touchdown that tied the score 22-22 with 13:02 left in the game.
Stick led the Chargers down the field in the final minutes, but Bandy bobbled a third-down pass and the Rams’ Daniel Isom snatched it from his hands at the eight with 27 seconds remaining. Stick said he was satisfied that his pass to Bandy was on target, although it appeared to be slightly off the mark.
“I just kind of felt like it was where it needed to be,” Stick said. “It was a good call by Joe (Lombardi, the Chargers’ offensive coordinator). We actually ran that play a few times earlier (in the game). Chase had it and made a good play on it. I took a sack on it earlier. This one worked out perfectly.
“Shoot, I would throw it 100 times out of 100 times, especially to Bandy, who has had an unbelievable camp and who I trust a ton. I really love playing with that guy.”
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he would split the quarterbacking duties again for next Saturday’s exhibition against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. This time, Stick is scheduled to play the first half and Daniel will play the second. Herbert is not expected to play.
Running to daylight
Facing a third-and-seven at his own 31-yard line, Daniel dropped to pass late in the second quarter. When he couldn’t find anyone open, he moved patiently to his left and then, suddenly, took off at top speed. Or as fast as his legs would carry him, anyway.
“I knew on that third-and-seven it was man coverage,” Daniel explained. “I went through my first and second reads, and it wasn’t there. It’s just such a feel thing (taking off and running). You don’t even want to do it all the time. When I looked out there, I was like, ‘Where is everyone?’”
Daniel gained 22 yards on the play, keeping alive a drive that ended with his touchdown pass to Bandy with 37 seconds left in the half, tying the score 14-14.
Right tackle battle
Trey Pipkins III and Storm Norton went into training camp battling for the starting right tackle position, one of the highest-profile skirmishes before opening day. Pipkins started against the Rams, but Norton also played. Staley was pleased by their play.
“That thing is still in motion,” Staley said of the competition between the two. “But I thought that both guys competed. I felt like we moved the ball with both quarterbacks. I thought that both guys did a nice job.”
Going for two
Staley said if the Chargers had tied the score on their final drive, he would have gone for a two-point conversion rather than kicking the extra point and tying the score 29-29. He and Rams coach Sean McVay each went for two after their third touchdowns.
“We would have gone for two at the end, yes we would have,” Staley said, smiling.
Final thoughts
Circle Jan. 1 on your calendar. Or do whatever needs to be done to set a reminder on your phone. That’s when the Chargers and Rams play for real and, after Saturday’s preview, it could be something special when they go after each other at full strength and with something greater at stake.
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