Los Angeles Chargers to rest Justin Herbert for final game of the season

Chargers QB Justin Herbert drops back for a pass against the Houston Texans (2025)
Chargers QB Justin Herbert drops back for a pass against the Houston Texans (2025)Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/A

The Los Angeles Chargers will be resting starting quarterback Justin Herbert for the final game of the regular season against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Los Angeles have already clinched their playoff spot and have no hopes of winning the AFC West division after losing this past weekend to the Houston Texans, rendering the upcoming game almost unnecessary for the team as they prepare for the playoffs. 

Herbert will finish the season with 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on 340-512 passing (68.4%).

His 498 rushing yards this season were a career-high, but so were his 54 sacks after playing all season behind one of the most banged-up offensive lines in football. 

Backup QB Trey Lance will step into the starting role for the first time this season as the team looks to play spoiler for the Broncos

This year marked back-to-back seasons for the Chargers, finishing with at least 11 wins heading into the playoffs. Last season, the Chargers were bounced in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, ironically against the Texans. 

Fans can expect the Broncos to play their starters as they'll be fighting with the New England Patriots for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.