Trey Lance: The Journey of a Promising Quarterback

Trey Lance: The Journey of a Promising Quarterback

Trey Lance, a 26-year-old quarterback, currently serves as the backup QB for the Chargers behind Justin Herbert. He was drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 but struggled to fulfill his potential due to inexperience and injuries. Despite his setbacks, Lance won the backup job with the Chargers in the 2025 preseason and is expected to continue in that role in 2026.

Lance's limited collegiate experience at North Dakota State and his young age when entering the NFL hindered his development. He faced competition from Brock Purdy in San Francisco and later joined the Dallas Cowboys before landing with the Chargers. In the 2025 season, Lance played in four games, starting one, and posted modest stats.

With a one-year contract with the Chargers, Lance is set to earn $2.5 million in 2026. He will continue to learn and develop under the guidance of coaches Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel. Despite his challenges, Lance's high draft status as a top-five pick could still attract interest from other teams if he shows improvement and potential in the upcoming season.