Max

Duggan

The Chargers selected Duggan in the seventh round of last year’s draft. A holdover from the previous regime, the former TCU prospect appeared in just one preseason game this season, completing 4-of-7 passes for 41 yards in his lone outing while running for 15 additional yards. Duggan was a solid four-year starter for the Horned Frogs but doesn’t profile as a long-term NFL prospect. If he doesn’t catch on with another NFL team, he could find himself in a spring football league next year.

The team signed Will Grier off the Patriots’ practice squad to their active roster in a corresponding move. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Duggan will be brought back on the Chargers’ practice squad if he clears waivers. Grier is now in line to serve as Easton Stick’s backup for the remainder of the season.

With Justin Herbert out for the season and Easton Stick as the starter for the time being, Duggan will be brought up to fill the backup role. Duggan was drafted in the seventh round after a story book 2022 season at TCU. He’ll now join his college teammates Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis on game days.

The Chargers selected the former TCU quarterback in the seventh round of this year’s draft but he couldn’t stick with the team following Easton Stick’s solid preseason. Stick should be considered one of the top backups on one of the top offenses in the league in 2023.

Duggan (6’2/213) was a four-year starter for Texas Christian but fully burst on the scene in 2022 when he led the 13-2 record and an appearance in the National Championship game versus Georgia. Duggan’s ability to make plays off script makes him an exciting player, and he possesses enough arm strength to make the requisite throws in the NFL. His highlights are chock full of deep passes, but what you’re unlikely to see are the 53.1 percent of his passes that traveled under 10 yards downfield last season. He benefitted from an offense that prioritized a screen-heavy attack and receivers gaining yards after the catch – something he’s unlikely to enjoy in the NFL. Duggan’s accuracy gets noticeably worse the further he throws downfield, and he doesn’t always hit receivers in stride on deep passes. Teams will keep him around as a developmental prospect, but it’s unlikely he becomes anything more than the Chargers’ QB2.

The Mountaineers’ defense have given up at least 31 points to five of their six Power Five opponents, with the lone exception being a punchless Virginia Tech. In fact their D has been exceptionally terrible the last three games, allowing 48, 43 and 38 points. TCU HC Sonny Dykes isn’t worried about defense as much as pressuring opponents with an avalanche of scores, posting at least 38 points in all seven games this season. The fortunate part of their mission statement for this wager’s purposes is that TCU fields the 94th ranked pass defense which has given up 158 points over their last five games. The opening over/under line of 63.5 was so off that savvy bettors hammered it to it’s current 68.5. TCU has gone Over that number in three of their last five games, though one of the Unders was against Kansas State who lost their starting QB in Q1 and play at the 92nd slowest pace nationally. With both teams fielding legitimately terrible pass defenses and West Virginia rating 38th in pace of play while throwing 39 passes per game (19th in FBS), the Over 68.5 points line is looking like a strong play.

Duggan’s (6'2/201) is expected to take three-to-four months, which would mean he can return to the field right around the time spring practices start in early March. It is being reported that he had a bone removed from the fifth metatarsal and had a torn tendon reattached. His health is going to be vital for his chances at winning the starting job, as new HC Sonny Dykes has no allegiance to Duggan who will have to battle redshirt freshman signal caller Chandler Morris for the right to pilot Dykes’ air-raid offense.

This was a tough game for Duggan (6'2/201), as the Horned Frogs couldn’t seem to get situated and stay consistent. That element was on full display to start the second half. With the game still in reach, After a punt on the first possession, Duggan threw an incomplete pass on fourth down on the next drive which led to a field goal. The next drive had the Horned Frogs down 27-7 and Duggan threw what ended up being a debilitating interception in the end zone. On the next play, Breece Hall took the ball 80 yards for a touchdown. The Horned Frogs fall one win short of becoming bowl eligible, ending their season.

With Chandler Morris injured and unable to play, Duggan (6'2/201) got the starting nod for the first time since October 30. While he wasn’t exactly awe-inspiring, the junior signal caller still averaged 10.4 yards per pass attempt and cashed in a one-yard touchdown run on a pivotal fourth-and-goal. His lone turnover came on an ill-advised throw across his body while on a full sprint that was intercepted in the end zone on a nice one-handed play by the Kansas defender. However when the chips were down and the Horned Frogs needed a score, Duggan drove them 67 yards in 14 plays to setup the game-winning field goal with :06 remaining in the game. It remains to be seen who will draw the start next week when TCU caps off their 2021 regular season against Iowa State.

With Chandler Morris sidelined due to injury, Duggan (6'2/201) will get another opportunity to show that he can lead the TCU offense. The junior quarterback suffered a foot injury earlier this season, which hasn’t helped matters with regard to his getting into a rhythm.