Ross Hedges on Naming Starting QB : Chargers: Reilly, the quarterbacks coach, says Gagliano is the man, but head coach says he won’t announce starter until Monday.

Who is the Chargers’ starting quarterback?

“Bob Gagliano,” quarterbacks coach Jack Reilly said Friday.

And what did Coach Bobby Ross say when Reilly asked him the same question after Thursday night’s victory over the Rams?

“He’s said, ‘Bob’s the starter right now,’ ” Reilly said.

Is there any way Gagliano would not be the starter?

“Not that I know of,” Reilly said.

So Gagliano is the starter, right Coach Ross?

Not exactly.

“It hasn’t really changed a whole lot from last night, but I want to hear everybody and have a chance to sit down with everybody,” Ross said Friday. “I want to hear everybody else talk. I want to hear their feedback. I know what Jack’s is and I know what mine is.”

But even with the quarterbacks coach and the head coach behind Gagliano, Ross did not rule out the possibility that Stan Humphries could start the season opener Sept. 6 against the Chiefs at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“There is a possibility,” Ross said.

Does this mean Ross is looking for a way to start Humphries, acquired two weeks ago in a trade with the Washington Redskins?

“You shouldn’t read anything into it, you shouldn’t infer anything from it,” he said. “I just want to do it that way. If I’d have done anything else, I’d have rushed into it. I wanted to see the films.”

Ross said he will pick his starter today, only eight days before the opener. But he won’t announce it until Monday, when he sees the players again. Charger players have been given the weekend off.

“I’m not trying to prolong it,” he said. “If anything, I want to get it over with. But I want to deal with it in the proper manner. I want to have a chance to reflect on it.”

Reilly appeared baffled by Ross’ indecision.

“He’s the head coach,” Reilly said. “He makes the decisions.”

Through four games, Gagliano completed 26 of 40 passes (65%) for 351 yards and one touchdown. His quarterback rating was 101.2. In two games, Humphries completed 16 of 28 passes for 170 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception. His quarterback rating was 83.6.

“Bob has played his role very well,” Reilly said. “He has played within himself. He hasn’t tried to play the hero.”

Humphries tried his best to stay out of the budding controversy.

“We’ve done all we can do for now,” Humphries said. “We’ve just got to let the coaches make the decision.”

Humphries said he would happily accept whatever the decision is.

“I haven’t put any pressure on myself since the first day I’ve been here,” he said. “I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m learning it pretty quickly. Whenever the decision is made, then we’ll deal with it when it comes.”

Even though Humphries has been given the opportunity to beat out Gagliano, he conceded that the task is not any easy one.

“You got a guy that’s been here a year and he’s been through the system,” Humphries said. “I think it’s tough to walk right in here in 10 days and take the job from him. As well as he’s done the last three games, I think it’s hard to step in and just take it from him. But I think I’ve done what’s been asked of me when I’ve been out there, so we’ll see what happens.”