Trey Lance Lands $6 Million Contract with Chargers: A Fresh Start in LA
It looks like Trey Lance is getting another shot — this time with the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lance has signed a one-year deal with the Chargers worth up to $6.2 million. It’s a fresh start for the 24-year-old quarterback, who’s still trying to find stable ground in the NFL after a bumpy few years.
He’ll join a quarterback room that already includes veteran Taylor Heinicke and, of course, star QB Justin Herbert. The move gives the Chargers some extra depth — and maybe even a bit of long-term upside — at one of the most important positions in the league.
Backing Up a Banged-Up Star
Let’s be clear: this is still Justin Herbert’s team. But after a few injury scares, the Chargers are smart to bulk up the quarterback position.
Herbert was rock-solid during his first few seasons in the NFL. He didn’t miss a game until Week 14 of the 2023 season, when a fractured finger on his throwing hand shut him down. Even in 2024, though he played the full season, he was clearly banged up. He was dealing with a high ankle sprain by Week 2, then re-aggravated it, and later fought through a thigh bruise and other nagging injuries.
The guy’s tough — no one’s questioning that — but the Chargers clearly aren’t taking any more chances. By signing both Heinicke and now Lance, they’ve built a safety net.
Lance’s Career So Far: Stops, Starts, and Setbacks
Trey Lance’s NFL journey has been anything but smooth.
He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, and the 49ers thought they were getting a future superstar. But between injuries and inconsistent play, Lance never quite got rolling in San Francisco. He started just four games in two seasons, going 2-2 as a starter and throwing for a total of 797 yards with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
The turning point came in 2022 when he suffered a serious ankle injury. That opened the door for Brock Purdy to step in — and Purdy took full advantage, basically running away with the job.
After that, the Niners traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 for a fourth-round pick — a pretty steep drop from his draft-day value. And in Dallas, things didn’t really get better. He didn’t take a single snap in 2023, buried on the depth chart behind Dak Prescott.
His first real action with the Cowboys didn’t come until the final game of the 2024 season. With nothing on the line, Lance finally got to start — and he looked… decent. Not great, not terrible. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards and added 26 yards on the ground. No touchdowns, but no turnovers either.
Not exactly a breakout, but definitely enough to show he’s still got something.
Source: Sources: Trey Lance, Chargers reach 1-year deal worth up to $6.2M
What the Chargers Might See in Him
So why would the Chargers go after him?
First off, Lance is still really young. At 24, he’s younger than some of the quarterbacks who just got drafted in 2024 — including Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. He’s got a big arm, he’s athletic, and despite everything he’s been through, he hasn’t taken much of a physical beating.
The big knock on him has always been inexperience. He only started 19 games in college at North Dakota State before turning pro. That lack of reps has followed him into the NFL. But that also means there’s a lot of room to grow.
Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said it best — Lance just needs more time on the field. The problem is, in the NFL, that time is hard to come by unless you’re already the starter or someone gets hurt.
That’s what makes the Chargers such an interesting fit. With no pressure to be “the guy,” Lance can take his time, learn the offense, and slowly build confidence. If Herbert stays healthy, Lance might not see the field at all. But if things go sideways, the Chargers now have someone with real upside who’s seen some action.
A Three-Way QB Room — But Not for Long
With Lance now in the fold, the Chargers’ quarterback room is suddenly crowded. Heinicke is expected to be the immediate backup thanks to his experience, and Easton Stick — who held the third spot last year — looks like the odd man out.
Stick has been around for a few seasons but hasn’t done much to stand out. And with Lance’s potential and higher ceiling, the Chargers are likely ready to move on.
That said, all eyes will be on training camp. Lance will need to show growth in the playbook, better decision-making, and — most of all — consistency. If he can do that, he might earn the QB2 spot, or at least solidify himself as someone worth keeping around beyond 2025.
The Best-Case Scenario
For Lance, this is about redemption.
He’s had to watch other quarterbacks — including late-round picks like Purdy — take advantage of the chances he never really got. This deal with the Chargers won’t make him a star overnight, but it gives him something he hasn’t had in a while: opportunity.
If he impresses during preseason games or in limited regular-season action, he could revive his value across the league. Who knows? Maybe in a year or two, he’s back in the conversation as a legit starting option — whether that’s in LA or somewhere else.
The key for him is patience, reps, and staying ready.
For the Chargers, this is a no-lose situation. At best, they’ve found a capable, talented backup with long-term potential. At worst, they’ve spent a few million on a low-risk insurance policy behind Herbert.
Either way, both sides get something they need — and that makes this move a win for everyone involved.
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