Trey Lance has signed a one year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The quarterback’s deal is worth $6.2 million according to ESPN. Trey Lance was once upon a time thought to be a rising star in the NFL. However, his lack of experience and some injury problems have hindered the pace of that dream. His career is still young and he has a lot of potential to still become a invaluable player for whichever team he might be playing for. It would appear that the Los Angeles Chargers have seen that potential and decided to give the quarterback a one year deal.
What happened to Trey Lance? He was an early pick in the draft.
Trey Lance ended up being selected as the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft by the San Francisco 49ers, His initial start with the 49ers was promising, he managed to start four games in two years and threw for 797 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His time on the field in San Francisco was cut short by an ankle injury. Which eventually led to the rise of rookie, Brock Purdy.
He was then traded to the Dallas Cowboys were he did not even manage to play a single snap in 2023. And 2024 was not much better. His time with the Cowboys was not proving to be what the young player needed. He only played 19 games in college, remarkably less than his counterparts. So his experience playing top tier football is limited when compared to the other quarterbacks he is competing with.
What makes the situation even more interesting is the fact that Lance is younger than some of the players coming out of this years NFL Draft. He is much younger than the average player with four years in the NFL. That might be an advantage for him, or it might point to a bigger problem. Regardless, the Chargers have committed to dealing with him for at least one year.
Can Trey Lance make a difference in Los Angeles with the Chargers?
His contract with the Chargers only lasts for one year. This has become the norm for “veterans” in the league with no permanent, long term home. The money being spent in the NFL by the teams is bewildering at times. The contract for Lance might seem small in comparison, but if he can provide the back up for Chargers starter Justin Herbert, he might find a home in LA.
The Chargers had a relatively successful season in 2024. They were credited as having the strongest defense in the league. They finished the season with a 11-6 record which earned them a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they would end up losing to the Texans. So it makes sense that they would want to bolster their offense.
Trey Lance will provide backup to Herbert who is known for his toughness. He started 62 consecutive games to begin his career, which tied him for a record. Last season he could be seen hobbling on the field after taking a hard hit or spending entire quarters on the bench to try to recover from an injury. So the Chargers were looking for a reliable backup quarterback, and they found one in Trey Lance.
How far can the Los Angeles Chargers go this year in the NFL?
The league has made some changes recently. The draft is fast approaching and the teams in the league are no doubt consumed with their plans. With Trey Lance matching the age of some of the players coming into the league this year, he has the headstart that most players would give anything for. His career has had some promise and glimpses of potential. The Chargers are not a small team. They have big ambitions and they represent an iconic city that has gone through a lot in the past few years. Can Trey Lance bring some success to LA and himself?
