Today, August 6th, The Los Angeles Chargers signed 2024 UFL passing leader, Luis Perez. A move for a quarterback was expected as the team recently announced that Justin Herbert suffered an injury. This shorted them one quarterback on the practice field, than what they initially started with. With the injury of Herbert, receivers need more players to catch the ball from, and Perez is coming off playing “real live football” in the UFL getting ready to make his impact on the Chargers.
Chargers Sign UFL Star – What Does This Mean for the QB Room?
Who is Luis Perez?
The UFL is coming off a successful season in 2024, letting plenty of players get their opportunity in front of the cameras and continue to live out their football dreams. One player who never gave up was now backup Chargers QB, Luis Perez. The soon-to-be 30-year-old quarterback came from a family of athletes, as his father was a professional soccer player. Perez, however, found his love for American football at a young age and played football in Southern California. After his high school career where he was a multisport athlete who also played multiple different positions, he attended Southwestern College, which was a local school for Perez. After a successful career at his local Junior College, he transferred to Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Like he has done his entire career, he dominated. The Division II competition seemed easy for Perez, as he finished his two-year career at Texas A&M University-Commerce with 8,327 yards, 78 touchdowns, and only 16 interceptions. In 2018, he was eligible for the NFL draft where he went undrafted, and spent time with the Rams. His stint was short-lived and he eventually found a new home in the now-shutdown league, Alliance of American Football. After a winning season with promising tape for the upcoming QB, he was back in the NFL.
Short, unsuccessful stints with the Eagles and Lions led him to return to lower-level leagues. He spent time in the XFL, TSL, and USFL, then a very short stint back to the Rams, back to the XFL, to eventually where he finally found his footing on the Arlington Renegades. He led the Renegades to the XFL Championship game, winning against the favored DC Defenders. This success finally led to the current day, as he is now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers QB room.
Breaking: The Los Angeles Chargers are signing QB Luis Perez, per @uflanalyst.
Perez was one of the #UFL's top QB's in 2024, leading the league in almost every passing category.
The spring football journeyman gets another NFL opportunity – you love to see it. pic.twitter.com/lhXhe6aE5C
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 6, 2024
What Does This Mean for the QB Room?
The signing of Luis Perez has caused some fans to worry about the severity of Justin Herbert’s injury. Some say that this is the coaching staff preparing to be without the superstar quarterback in week one against the Raiders. However, many also believe that this signing is just simple competition and another camp body to allow receivers to get more looks.
Herbert will be back against the Raiders. He is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league, we as fans should know that. He will play through as much as the coaching staff lets him. That being said, backup Easton Stick is now commanding the offense in the meantime. The Chargers needed another QB for the third/fourth-team offense. This signing solves that. Furthermore, with Stick’s starts last season showing enough promise for the Bolts’ brand new regime to re-sign him, his backup spot should be fully secured. Former seventh-round pick, Max Duggan, his spot might be up for grabs. This signing of Perez is likely just more insurance for the team, and someone to push Duggan. Both Duggan and Perez are likely to not make the roster, as this team needs as much room as possible for other position rooms.
Charger fans, do not worry. This is simply a small move to keep things going smoothly while Herbert rehabs his injury. The story of Luis Perez is hopefully one of continued perseverance, and possibly a practice squad spot, which he has yet to do at the NFL level. Who knows, maybe after Stick’s contract is up, Perez could be the “veteran” backup behind our beloved Herbert.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
