Trey Lance Tasked With Starting Hall of Fame Game For Los Angeles Chargers
When you hear the name Trey Lance these days, it is hard not to immediately think of what could have been instead of what still might be. The once highly-touted third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance entered the league under a cloud of sky-high expectations that could rival downtown San Francisco’s fog. Now, cut to 2025, and Lance is donning a Los Angeles Chargers jersey, gearing up to start the Hall of Fame Game. A glorified preseason matchup? Sure. A shot at redemption? Absolutely.
A Career Stuck In First Gear
It is no secret that Lance’s NFL journey thus far has been, well, underwhelming. After being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers to eventually replace the injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo, Lance’s momentum was quickly halted by an unfortunate season-ending ankle injury just two games into his 2022 starting gig. Enter Brock Purdy, the rookie phenom who swooped in, won games, and essentially shoved Lance off the depth chart.
Flash forward to his brief and uneventful stint with the Dallas Cowboys, a healthy scratch for most of the 2023 season. Yep, it seems like the football gods haven’t exactly been rooting for this guy lately.
Jim Harbaugh’s Playbook For Lance
Fast forward to today, where Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh seems ready to roll the dice. Lance signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chargers and will take the reins in the Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions. Harbaugh’s plan? Get Lance some meaningful game reps and see if there’s still fire in his arm.
“Trey Lance needs game experience,” Harbaugh said. (Translation: Kid better show something before this bridge burns completely.) Justin Herbert, the team’s golden goose, will be staying far, far away from the field Thursday night. Makes sense since Herbert doesn’t really need a warm-up game at this point. But for Lance? This Hall of Fame Game isn’t just a meaningless preseason scrimmage. It’s a lifeline.
One More Chance To Shine
The Chargers’ quarterback room is eclectic.” Behind Herbert, you’ve got Taylor Heinicke, the battle-worn journeyman, and now, Lance, trying to reframe his place in the league. If there is a silver lining, it is this game. These preseason games may bore the average fan to tears, but for the quarterback, this is essentially a live audition for the NFL, a chance to prove he’s still worthy of the league’s spotlight—even if it is just the dim glow of preseason football.
This is his moment to remind everyone that beneath his stats (1,063 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions over two years), there’s still a quarterback with untapped potential.
What’s At Stake?
Here is the harsh reality for Trey Lance. If he bombs in this game, his prospects of starting a game when it actually matters might fizzle down to zero. NFL teams don’t exactly hand out participation trophies, and fans? They are even less forgiving. But if Lance can lean on his athleticism, shake off the rust, and string together a couple of highlight plays, maybe, just maybe, he can get back in the conversation.
No one’s expecting him to dethrone Herbert, but carving out a solid backup role wouldn’t be the worst restart for someone who was once seen as a franchise savior.
The Road Ahead
Hope springs eternal in the NFL preseason, where every player is one big run, one dime pass, or one interception away from resetting their career trajectory. Is Lance still a potential hidden gem? Or has the league already gotten exactly what it’s going to get from the former No. 3 overall pick? The Hall of Fame Game won’t give us all the answers, but it sure feels like the beginning of a pivotal chapter in Lance’s saga.
As fans, we watch for moments like these. All eyes in Canton will be fixed on LA’s quarterback. And whether he thrives or dives, you have to admit, there is something about his story that is impossible to ignore. Here is hoping Lance gives us a night worth remembering, and hey, maybe finally starts stacking some wins.
