Report: Chargers waiving rookie QB Max Duggan

The Los Angeles Chargers are waiving rookie quarterback Max Duggan, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Duggan was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 239 overall pick.

The Chargers will start the season with two quarterbacks on the active roster with starter Justin Herbert and backup Easton Stick.

The 22-year-old Duggan didn’t have many passing attempts during the three-game preseason. He was only 6 of 12 for 34 yards and one touchdown. He did, however, add 71 rushing yards on the ground on 10 attempts.

The #Chargers are waiving rookie QB Max Duggan, per source. The former TCU star will be an interesting one to watch on waivers.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 28, 2023

NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein ranked him as the 15th-best quarterback in the 2023 draft class.

“Scrappy quarterback possessing the attitude, toughness and leadership that teams love. Duggan has proven himself to be capable of overcoming adversity and finding ways to help his team win with his arm or legs. However, he has limited arm strength and frequently forces receivers to break stride on deep balls and crossing routes. Duggan’s intangibles give him a chance to become an NFL backup but his limitations as a passer cap his ceiling,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft scouting report on Duggan.

Duggan had a season to remember last fall as he led unheralded TCU to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where the Horned Frogs fell to Georgia.

He threw for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns in 15 games with 423 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

His accomplishments led to many honors during and after the season, including Big 12 Athlete of the Year, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

Duggan had one more season of eligibility left to play college football but elected to declare for the draft. He said at the time it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

“Yeah, it was a hard decision,” Duggan said. “I think in my eyes, I was ready for it, and it was something that I thought a lot about, but I think in the moment and the things that are happening this year, I’ve been able to accomplish a lot with my teammates in this program in the four years, and this year has been pretty incredible. Graduating at TCU, just kind of the timing of being here four years and playing a lot I think was kind of the determining factor of it.