Tyrod Taylor 'The Guy Right Now' After Chargers Draft Justin Herbert, OC Says

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said Wednesday that Tyrod Taylor still has the inside track to serve as the team's starting quarterback over rookie Justin Herbert in 2020.

"They're going to compete. Tyrod's the guy right now, and Justin's going to learn," Steichen told reporters.

Philip Rivers' 16-year run with the organization ended in March when he signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chargers hope Herbert, the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, is their future franchise quarterback, but Taylor may serve as a stopgap.

He's enjoyed success as a starter in the past. In 2015, he completed 63.7 percent of his attempts for 3,035 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 568 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. He also ranked eighth in ESPN's Total QBR that season.

In all, the 30-year-old Virginia Tech product has complied an 89.8 career passer rating across 70 appearances (46 starts) with 16 rushing touchdowns.

Herbert was terrific across four years at Oregon. He connected on 64 percent of his throws for 10,541 yards with 95 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 43 games.

The 2020 Rose Bowl Offensive MVP said he's open to filling any role during his debut NFL campaign, telling reporters:

"I said that I'm going to do everything I can to be the best quarterback I can be and if I'm the guy that's great. I love playing football and I want to be the guy. But if I have to sit back and learn I'm going to do everything I can to become the quarterback that I need to be. I'm so excited to go down there and do everything I can and to continue to work hard and be myself."

Easton Stick is the third quarterback on the Chargers roster heading into the 2020 season.

Taylor will be the favorite to serve as the Week 1 starter heading into training camp, but Herbert is a strong bet to make some starts before the end of the campaign.