For the first time in years, Trey Lance looked like the quarterback the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks to acquire. Thursday night’s performance against Detroit wasn’t just another preseason showing — it felt like a player finally ready to prove he belongs in the NFL.
How Did Trey Lance’s Performance Turn Heads in Canton?
The fifth-year pro and former first-round pick arguably had his most impressive performance in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions. Trey Lance completed 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 34-7 win.
It was only the first preseason game of 2025, but Lance’s performance turned heads, including an influential and respected one. NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth raved about the quarterback’s showing on Thursday night.
“I think Trey Lance really made a statement tonight, and then to come out in the second half and continue on,” Collinsworth said.
“But just the technique and the poise and the ability to sort of put what was a bit of a slow start to his career behind him and play like that tonight – if this game meant anything to anybody, it was a statement that he made tonight.”
The confidence boost started before Lance even took the field. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh pumped his quarterback up on the sideline, capturing how belief can transform a player’s mindset.
You can literally see the confidence bar in Trey Lance start to rise. The cure to the quarterback problem is literally to just believe in them. pic.twitter.com/tc53yDW5eZ
— Evan Sowards (@EvanSowards) August 1, 2025
That confidence translated immediately into production. Lance started the scoring for the Chargers on a nice bootleg, which was finished off with a touchdown pass to tight end Will Dissly.
The @Chargers open the scoring in 2025 on a Trey Lance TD to Will Dissly!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/UFpECJoBGN— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Later, he showed great touch with a nice pass down the sideline to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, displaying the arm talent that made him such an intriguing prospect.
Trey Lance dropping it the bucket for KeAndre Lambert-Smith 🎯@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/desvgOfDRA— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
He threw his second touchdown pass to Lambert-Smith on a quick slant that split the Lions’ defense, showing the decision-making that has been inconsistent throughout his career.
Trey Lance finds KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the TD!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ypV9fC3Ds7— NFL (@NFL) August 1, 2025
Why Does This Performance Matter for Trey Lance’s Career?
Lance has been through the ringer since the San Francisco 49ers drafted him. After playing in 19 games for North Dakota State and leading the team to an undefeated season and a national championship, Lance played in one game in 2020 and chose to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.
The 49ers traded three first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the right to draft Lance. He was heralded as the perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but a series of injuries derailed his career, and he was ultimately replaced as the starter by Brock Purdy.
Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in 2023 and saw limited action as he sat behind Dak Prescott. He was not re-signed after his contract expired and signed a one-year contract with the Chargers that could reach $6.2 million with incentives.
Trey Lance’s Stats: Chargers QB Turns Heads With Dominant Performance vs. Lions in Hall of Fame Game
After Lance played well in the first half, he stayed on for three more series in the second half. He’s competing with veteran Taylor Heinicke for the QB2 spot behind Justin Herbert, making every snap crucial for his future.
After an impressive performance, Harbaugh said Lance will see plenty of playing time moving forward.
“There’s a presence that I’ve been seeing all camp, he’s had a heck of a camp, then he went out in the game and did that,” Harbaugh said. “Just the feeling of — he needs game reps, and he’s going to get them. It was a great start for him.”
The Chargers’ next preseason test will be on Saturday, August 10. Los Angeles will host the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Lance is expected to see more reps.
