Trey Lance’s rise and reset with the Los Angeles Chargers is a narrative of elite physical tools meeting a fresh opportunity in a more patient, quarterback-friendly environment. In the Aug. 10, 2025 preseason win over the New Orleans Saints, Lance underscored his upside: seven carries for 48 yards and a 5-yard rushing touchdown, while going 7-of-14 through the air for 55 yards. The Bolts won 27-13, and Lance’s rushing explosiveness helped sustain drives in the absence of a polished rhythm in the passing game. His résumé as a creator off schedule remains the cornerstone of his value in a depth-heavy QB room. espn.com chargers.com

Lance’s NFL story begins with a highly touted college ascent. North Dakota State trotted him from the redshirt year into a national-title pipeline, where he twice helped the Bison win FCS championships (2018, 2019) and earned one of the division’s premier individual honors as a freshman: the Walter Payton Award in 2019. That season he stacked 2,714 passing yards with 28 TDs and added 934 rushing yards and 13 rushing TDs, all while posting stellar efficiency and no interceptions. He left NDSU as one of the most celebrated FCS quarterbacks of his generation. ncaa.com espn.com gobison.com

The pro path followed a familiar arc: San Francisco drafted Lance No. 3 overall in 2021, betting on his dual-thrust ceiling to drive an explosive, scheme-agnostic offense. Yet injuries and the rapid rise of Brock Purdy limited his NFL starts, setting the stage for a trade to Dallas and, eventually, a fresh start with the Chargers in 2025. The move to Los Angeles was formalized in an early-2025 agreement, signaling a controlled environment designed to maximize his athletic traits while he competes for a reliable backup role behind Justin Herbert. espn.com nfl.com chargers.com

In that Saints outing, Lance’s blend of speed and decisiveness was the day’s clear takeaway, even as the public talks about his long-term role in Los Angeles continue. If Lance can marry the college-proven accuracy and decision-making with the NFL-ready processing shown in spurts, he remains a high-upside candidate in a league built on multi-scheme versatility and depth at the quarterback position. espn.com

Trey Lance in his first two @chargers preseason games:

128 total yds, 2 TDs
103 total yds, 1 TD

Is a resurgence coming in Los Angeles? ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/AJBnoKtQ5P

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 12, 2025