Former North Dakota State University star Trey Lance has had a rollercoaster ride of a career.
The San Francisco 49ers traded a king’s ransom to get up to the No. 3 pick in 2021 to select Lance.
San Francisco began that season with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback, planning to bring their rookie along slowly.
Lance would eventually be inserted into the lineup, but an injury sidelined him for weeks which led to Garoppolo getting his job back.
Lance was the starter to open the 2022 season, but an ankle fracture in Week 2 would end his season.
Garoppolo reclaimed his starting position, but a foot fracture late into the season threw Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, into the fire and he never relinquished control.
He led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game and subsequently ended Lance’s career in the Bay Area.
The Dallas Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for his services, and he spent a large portion of the last two seasons sitting behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Dallas Cowboys QBs Cooper Rush (10), Dak Prescott (4) and Trey Lance (19) talk during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility.
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
The former first-round quarterback’s contract expired at the end of last season, and he hit the open market.
Still just 24 years old, Lance is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, he just hasn’t had much of a chance to prove himself.
Last week, the young quarterback signed a one-year incentive-laden deal with the Los Angeles Chargers that can add up to about $7 million in salary.
The Chargers have already re-signed journeyman Taylor Heinicke, so Lance will have to beat him out for the backup job.
Prescott, who has spent extensive time with him, congratulated the man he mentored on social media with the caption “Yesssir! LFG.”
It’s clear that the two enjoyed their time together, and if it’s any forewarning then Lance may have a decent chance to be the backup in Los Angeles.
He and Heinicke have a similar playstyle, but the former Washington Commander definitely loses the arm strength battle.
This will likely be a situation that will be resolved in training camp, so we still have a few months before the competition develops.
