Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was one of the Los Angeles Chargers’ most impressive performers during their 20-18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in their final preseason game on Thursday evening. Uiagalelei tallied 141 passing yards, including a two-point conversion pass.
Uiagalelei is in a battle with Trey Lance to become Justin Herbert’s backup, but NFL fans had mixed reactions to his performance against the Rams.
NFL Fans Unsure of DJ Uiagalelei After Preseason Performance
One fan was not convinced that Uiagalelei should make the Chargers’ 53-man roster altogether.
DJ uiagalelei is a horrible qb. Should never be on anyone’s 53 man roster. He was horrible at fsu and still as bad in preseason 🤣🤣🤣
— Richard “Dick” Smith III (the 3rd) (@DaManRich1738) August 28, 2026
Another fan rooted for Uiagalelei to become Herbert’s backup ahead of Lance.
DJ Uiagalelei should be the backup. Trey Lance can be converted into something else, like maybe glue or some kind of paste
— Mayor Mike (@theMayor_Mike) August 21, 2026
One fan was stunned that the former Clemson quarterback still had an NFL career.
Dj uiagalelei is terrible I have no idea how this guy has stuck around the nfl
— The Motivation (@GeechMcghee) August 28, 2026
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One Chargers fan was brutal in his assessment of Uiagalelei.
DJ Uiagalelei is one of the worst QBs I’ve ever seen. No awareness. Cement feet. Arm like Trubiski.
Idk how this man even got drafted after blowing it completely on 3 different college teams
— Charger Jack ⚡️ (@RecoveredParlay) August 28, 2026
Another assessed that Uiagalelei had outplayed Lance and should be the Chargers’ QB2.
“Yeah, time to pack it up, Trey Lance. When DJ Uiagalelei outplays you by a mile, you know it’s over. Idk, maybe try the CFL???” The fan opined.
One fan was not convinced that either Uiagalelei or Lance deserved the Chargers’ QB2 spot.
“Uiagalelei looked a little better than Lance, but neither is good enough. The best you can say for them is that they’re not Easton Stick. The Chargers need a new backup QB and a new punter,” the fan concluded.
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Uiagalelei began his college football career as Trevor Lawrence’s backup at Clemson in 2020 before taking the starting job in 2021. After being usurped by Cade Klubnik, Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal and joined the Oregon State Beavers for one season, earning a PFN College QB Impact score of 82.3 (No. 29 in the country).
The quarterback entered the transfer portal and joined the Florida State Seminoles in 2024. Uiagalelei played only five games for the Seminoles after injuring his hand midway through the season and finishing his FSU career with 1,065 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
He finished his college football career with 9,384 passing yards on 58.5% completion, 61 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, adding 1,124 rushing yards and 21 scores.
In 2025, Uiagalelei joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent and was waived in August. The quarterback was re-signed to the team’s practice squad and finally signed a reserve/futures contract in January.
