Trey Lance is heading back to California.
Lance, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported.
Lance fell from hopeful San Francisco 49ers franchise quarterback to Dallas Cowboys third-stringer and is now headed to the Bolts. He will join a QB room led by starter Justin Herbert, likely backup Taylor Heinicke and helmed by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was also once the 49ers head coach -- though that was long before Lance's time.
Lance was added to the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders’ negotiation list earlier this spring, meaning that if he elected to head to the league, the team would have signing rights. But, Lance’s pro football journey won't be headed north. Instead, he's headed out west for his fifth NFL season and third NFL squad.
In 2021, the 49ers traded up to draft the North Dakota State product, but injuries, a lack of progress and the rise of Brock Purdy added up to Lance being a bust in the Bay. After dropping to third on the depth chart in a battle with Sam Darnold, Lance was traded to the Cowboys in August of 2023. Lance didn’t play in the ’23 season. In 2024, despite Dak Prescott suffering a season-ending injury in 2024, Lance only started one game for Dallas.
Through four years of NFL service, Lance has played in 12 games with five starts, completing 81 of 143 passes (56.6%) for 1,063 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He has 276 career rushing yards and one rushing score.
Lance is now hoping to revive his career with a fresh start in L.A..