He was the third overall pick. The guy the 49ers traded three first-rounders for because they thought he was the next evolution of the modern quarterback. Now? If you aren't paying close attention, you might have missed where he landed after the Dallas hype cooled off.
What team is Trey Lance on right now? He is currently a quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers.
If that feels like news to you, you’re not alone. The transition happened fairly quietly compared to the draft-day fireworks of 2021. Lance signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Bolts in April 2025, a move that basically signaled a "reclamation project" phase of his career under Jim Harbaugh. It’s been a wild ride from Santa Clara to Arlington, and now to the West Coast.
The Current Situation in Los Angeles
Honestly, the move to the Chargers was a savvy play for a guy whose stock had hit rock bottom. He’s playing under Harbaugh, a coach who practically specializes in squeezing life out of quarterbacks.
During the 2025 season, Lance served as the primary backup to Justin Herbert. While Herbert is the undisputed face of the franchise, he took a literal beating in 2025, dealing with a broken bone in his left hand late in the year. That opened a window. Lance actually saw the field more than people expected. He appeared in four games, even getting a high-stakes start in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos when Harbaugh decided to rest starters for the playoffs.
The stats from that Broncos game weren't exactly "franchise savior" material—he went 20-for-44 for 136 yards and a pick—but it showed he’s still got that elite athleticism, racking up 69 yards on the ground.
Why the Chargers Kept Him
- The Price Point: A $2 million contract is pennies in NFL quarterback terms.
- The Harbaugh Factor: Jim Harbaugh loves versatile players, and Lance fits the "dual-threat" mold better than almost anyone else on the market.
- Insurance: With Herbert’s injury history, having a guy with first-round pedigree as a backup is better than rolling the dice on a late-round rookie.
How He Ended Up in Powder Blue
The road here was messy. Let’s be real. After the San Francisco 49ers realized Brock Purdy was "The Guy," Lance became the most expensive third-stringer in history. They shipped him to Dallas in 2023 for a fourth-round pick.
In Dallas, he was basically a ghost.
He spent the entire 2023 season as a healthy scratch. In 2024, he finally got some garbage-time reps and a start in the season finale against the Commanders after Dak Prescott went down, but the Cowboys decided not to pick up his fifth-year option. They let him walk into free agency in 2025. That’s when the Chargers swooped in, seeing a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to let him develop away from the bright lights of "America's Team."
What Most People Get Wrong About Trey Lance
People love to use the "bust" label. It's easy. It’s lazy. But when you look at the actual numbers, the weirdest part of the Trey Lance story is how little he’s actually played football.
Between COVID-19 shortening his college career at North Dakota State and injuries in the NFL, he’s barely played 20 games of competitive football since 2019. He’s 25 years old. In quarterback years, that’s still a baby.
Experts like Nick Shook from NFL.com have recently pointed out that the Chargers should actually prioritize re-signing him for the 2026 season. Why? Because the backup market is thin. If you lose a guy who knows your system and has his physical tools, you’re usually replacing him with someone significantly worse.
The Contract Status (2026 and Beyond)
As of January 2026, Lance is technically an impending Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). His one-year "prove it" deal with Los Angeles is expiring. There is significant buzz around the facility that Harbaugh wants him back. He’s been praised for his work ethic in the film room, which was a major question mark earlier in his career.
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If he stays in LA, he remains the ultimate safety net for Justin Herbert. If he leaves? Some QB-needy team like the Raiders or even the Giants might take a swing on him as a "bridge" starter.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following Lance for fantasy or betting purposes, keep these three things in mind as the 2026 offseason kicks off:
- Watch the Chargers' Transactions: If they don't re-sign him by March, he will likely head to a team where he can compete for a starting job. He's tired of being a backup.
- Monitor the Health of Justin Herbert: The Chargers' offensive line struggled in 2025. If Lance stays in LA, he is one of the most valuable "handcuff" quarterbacks in deep fantasy leagues.
- Check the Preseason Tape: Lance has always been a "preseason king." If he lands in a new spot, don't overreact to big August numbers; he’s done that before without it translating to Sundays.
The question of what team Trey Lance is on might change again this spring, but for now, he’s a Charger, learning from one of the best QB minds in the game and waiting for the one break that finally goes his way.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the NFL transaction wire starting in mid-March. If Lance signs a multi-year deal with a team lacking an established starter, that is your signal that the league still believes in his ceiling. You should also compare his 2025 rushing efficiency against other mobile backups like Malik Willis to see if his ground game remains an elite tier-one asset.