Ex-Cowboys QB Trey Lance joins Chargers, aims to revive NFL career alongside rising star Justin Herbert

In a move that may redefine the Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback depth, Trey Lance has signed a one-year deal worth up to $6.2 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 24-year-old quarterback joins Taylor Heinicke as the primary backups behind franchise cornerstone Justin Herbert, adding another intriguing chapter to Lance's NFL journey.

Despite Justin Herbert's reputation as one of the league’s toughest signal-callers, his 2024 season was far from smooth. Though he didn’t miss a game, Herbert fought through a litany of injuries—from a plantar fascia issue in training camp to an aggravated high ankle sprain, a thigh bruise, and a fractured index finger that ultimately ended his season in Week 14. While his toughness is unquestioned, the Chargers clearly felt the need to bolster their quarterback room with reliable insurance.

Trey Lance provides that cushion—albeit still largely unproven. Once considered a future franchise quarterback, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has had an unpredictable ride through the league. Limited to just four starts in two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Lance compiled a 2-2 record, throwing for 797 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. A devastating ankle injury early in his 2022 campaign opened the door for Brock Purdy, whose unexpected rise eventually made Lance expendable.
In 2023, the Dallas Cowboys picked him up in exchange for a fourth-round pick. However, Lance never saw the field that season. His real chance came in 2024, when he started the season finale against Washington, completing 20 of 34 passes for 244 yards and rushing for another 26 in a 23-19 loss. That performance, though not statistically explosive, showed flashes of his dual-threat potential and poise under center.
Interestingly, Lance is younger than both Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr.—two quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His youth, combined with raw athleticism and untapped upside, continues to make him a valuable developmental piece.
“He just needed to continue to gain experience,” former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy had stated, pointing to Lance's limited college exposure—only 19 games at North Dakota State—before being thrown into the NFL spotlight.
Lance's arrival likely signals the end of Easton Stick’s tenure in Los Angeles, with the Chargers now locked into a more experienced and dynamic QB trio. While Herbert remains the unquestioned starter, the franchise is clearly planning for every scenario. Should Herbert’s health falter again, Lance may finally get the meaningful reps he’s long awaited.
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In LA, Trey Lance isn’t being asked to be the savior—but he may still write a redemption story.