After a brief and quiet stint in Dallas, quarterback Trey Lance is heading west. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has signed a one-year deal worth $6.2 million with the Los Angeles Chargers, marking his third team in as many seasons. ESPN reports Lance will now serve as backup to Justin Herbert, joining Taylor Heinicke in a reshuffled QB room under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Though Lance didn’t get a single regular-season snap in 2023, the move still made headlines-especially thanks to the support from his former teammate Dak Prescott. The Dallas Cowboys veteran took to Instagram on April 5, reposting the news and adding a short but enthusiastic caption: “Yesssir! LFG.”
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A quiet stay in Dallas
Lance’s time in Dallas was uneventful on the field. Acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in August 2023 in exchange for a fourth-round pick, he mostly remained on the sidelines. He did not play a single down during the 2023 season, and only started one game-Week 18 of the 2024 season-against the Washington Commanders. In that game, he completed 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards in a close 23-19 loss.
His previous stint in San Francisco wasn’t much different. Lance started only four games across two years, going 2-2 with 797 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. His 2022 campaign was cut short by a Week 2 ankle injury, paving the way for Brock Purdy to emerge as the 49ers‘ starter.
Chargers eye depth behind Herbert
Now in Los Angeles, Lance joins a QB room anchored by Justin Herbert, one of the league’s most reliable starters when healthy. Herbert missed time last season due to a fractured finger but is expected to return strong in 2025. With Easton Stick likely out, the addition of Lance brings experience and potential upside to the Chargers‘ depth chart.
Whether Lance can finally find solid ground remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure-Dak Prescott is rooting for him all the way.
