Chargers add former top five pick that hasn't worked out to potentially backup QB Justin Herbert next season
The Los Angeles are grabbing another free agent quarterback. This one, he creates a bit more intrigue behind Justin Herbert for Jim Harbaugh's team. Chargers sign Trey Lance The Chargers are signing Trey Lance to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter. The one-year contract is worth up to $6.2 million. Lance joins Taylor Heinicke […]
The Los Angeles are grabbing another free agent quarterback. This one, he creates a bit more intrigue behind Justin Herbert for Jim Harbaugh's team.
Chargers sign Trey Lance
The Chargers are signing Trey Lance to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter. The one-year contract is worth up to $6.2 million.
Lance joins Taylor Heinicke as the backup options in Los Angeles. The newly-signed QB is a former top five pick as well. Lance was selected with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
Not even the rocky start to Trey Lance's career can deny the obvious: He has talent many other quarterbacks in the NFL wish they had. The arm strength is there to be a special passer. He's a scary dual-threat weapon that can put defenses in a bind as soon as they forget about his legs. All of that not only made him the No. 3 overall pick but even prompted a costly trade for the San Francisco 49ers to get him. So what's been the problem for him?
I call it the Trey Dilemma: He hasn't had the reps. Not in high school, not in college, not in four years in the NFL. And when he's had the opportunity to play, it hasn't been pretty. Despite his talent, his interceptions (of which he threw five in the 2024 preseason finale) are usually the result of entirely not seeing a defender in coverage or a misguided throw. His odd career path has gotten him to a point where there's not a lot he can do about getting reps: Teams are likely turned off by the fact that he has little game experience yet unwilling to give him a chance at getting those reps because success is always urgent in the NFL.
With all that being said, I'm not sure Lance could've landed in a better spot given Jim Harbaugh's reputation as a QB guru. There's always hope. — Mauricio Rodriguez
The potential is clear
Lance was always a big swing of the bat by San Fran. His tools and physical abilities excited a lot of teams, including the 49ers and then the Dallas Cowboys. Lance simply hasn't gotten many opportunities to start games at the pro level, following a quick stint at North Dakota State.
For the Chargers, this is an upside play to backup Justin Herbert. They hope that they don't ever have to play Lance, but if they do, he is a more exciting option than really any other backup QB option on the market.
With the duo of Heinicke and Lance behind Herbert, it is hard to see former Chargers backup Easton Stick returning to the team anytime soon. He is still a free agent as of now.
Regardless, adding Lance made some sense for just about any team who did not feel completely comfortable with their backup QB plan entering next season. Now, he can battle with the veteran Heinicke for that role on LA's roster.
Chargers 4-round mock draft after latest wave of NFL free agency: Ladd McConkey gets a partner in crime & LA replaces Joey Bosa
The Los Angeles Chargers have made some under-the-radar additions during NFL free agency so far. The 2025 NFL Draft remains a huge task ahead of them, and Jim Harbaugh must have a plan to navigate it. I ran through a four-round mock draft scenario for Los Angeles. Check out their picks below. Los Angeles Chargers […]
